Broncos get OT goal to claim senior night victory over Pirates

 

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By Jonathan Jones

It wasn’t your typical senior night at Barrington on Tuesday evening.

The Broncos hosted a Mid Suburban League match up with Palatine, which ultimately was settled with overtime heroics.

Barrington prevented the Pirates from spoiling its senior night by capturing a dramatic 3-2 double overtime victory.

Bronco junior defender Zach Rowe was showered in praise by his teammates and the Barrington faithful as he notched the game-winning goal.

Barrington senior midfielders Bryan Adams and Grant McAndrew both pitched in with goals, as well, while Adams also posted an assisted.

“This is a going to be a great memory forever,” McAndrew said. “This win is a great way to end the last game of the regular season on our field.

"We played a full 80 minutes and more. We can do whatever we want if we keep the work up.”

The Broncos (10-6-3, 7-1-2) will graduate 12 seniors from this year's varsity squad.

Jacob Dreiling, Max Redpath, Bryan Adams, Mark Plescia, Tyler Deacon, Jonathan Guntin, Grant McAndrew, Brian Sheetz, Reid Strain, Brett Qualiardi, John Gallagher and Colter Williams were all honored at Tuesday’s match.

After starting the season at 2-6-1 following its own tournament and the Great Midwest Classic in Indianapolis, Barrington has bounced back in a big way.

In their last 10 games, the Broncos have registered victories in eight, while the two that weren’t wins were ties. The Broncos have remained unbeaten since September 10th.

“We had a tough schedule in the earlier part of the year,” said Barrington coach Scott Steib. “We've got a group of character guys and the brotherhood is solid.

"Palatine is a solid team and we’re glad we could come out on top. We had that kind of luck in the beginning of the year, but we slowly turned it around.”

When the 2010 campaign ended, six players remained from the Broncos. Promotions were handed to 14 junior varsity players.

The Broncos' winning streak has now stretched to five games. Strong performances have been displayed by Steib’s players including Strain, who has nine goals in the previous five games.

Barrington didn’t waste much time getting their offense started. Adams retrieved a ball off a carom and then fired in a shot to put the Broncos on the scoreboard first in the 12th minute.

The Pirates got a goal back later in the first half. At the 30-minute mark, Palatine sophomore defender Kyle Clancy barreled into a free kick following a Barrington foul.

Pirate junior defender Jeremy Velinski received the feed around 35-yards from the goalie box and put the ball in.

When the senior night festivities began at halftime, it was still anyone’s game at a deadlocked 1-1.

“There were too many mental lapses on defense, especially in the second half,” said Palatine coach Willie Filian.

“I’m proud of the guys for having an answer on every (Barrington) goal, but we shouldn’t have to have an answer. When any team gets that many chances, they’re going to put one in.”

The loss drops the Pirates to 12-6 overall and 5-5 in the MSL. Before Tuesday's game, the Pirates had won gone 4-1 in their last five decisions.

In the 45th minute, McAndrew gave Barrington a 2-1 lead after scoring an unassisted goal.

Then in the 54th minute, Palatine senior Jack Reynolds hit a corner kick which entered the box and junior forward Josh Lee dove backwards to retrieving the ball and got a foot on it for a score.

That's how things remained as regulation play wound down and the teams took eventually took part in two 10-minute overtimes.

“We take this win and build,” said Barrington senior midfielder Brett Qualiardi.

“We build on the win just like we had to work together to get that last goal. This is my first year on varsity, but I think if we improve more on every game there are no limitations.”

Both Palatine and Barrington missed opportunities in the first sudden death overtime, forcing the second extended period.

Six minutes into double overtime period, Rowe made his presence felt for the Broncos.

Adams dribbled up the ball on the left wing and waiting for his teammates to position themselves in the box.

He then sent a pass to Rowe, who got a foot on the ball and kicked it past the Palatine keeper.

Rowe’s teammates rushed the field to bombard him with praise.

“We played with heart and desire,” said Barrington senior defender John Gallagher. “Zach (Rowe) moved up (to varsity) halfway through the season, and ever since he moved up, we’ve seen him fight through till the end.

"We’ve also been in a lot of overtime experience, which will do nothing but help us as we go into regionals.”

Palatine and Barrington close out their MSL schedules on Friday. The Broncos travel to Prospect while Palatine hosts Buffalo Grove.

“Games like these are the reason why I coach,” Steib added in regards to their win. “You can’t learn these kinds of things in club soccer.”