Boys soccer: Division title is Barlow’s

Written by Clare McLaughlin
Thursday, 29 October 2009 11:38

After a lackluster 0-3 start on the season, the Joel Barlow High boys soccer team has once again emerged as one of the powerhouse teams in the South-West Conference with an eight-game winning streak, which has included wins against Newtown last Monday, Oct. 19, Bunnell the next day, Weston on Friday and New Fairfield on Monday. This latest victory brought with it first place in the South-West Conference Patriot Division.

Barlow’s climb back to prominence was done the hard way. Newtown held a 9-1-1 record going in to its game with Barlow and New Fairfield was itself on a seven-game winning streak, with a 10-3-1 record, before getting knocked off by the Falcons in unequivocal fashion.

Newtown showed its capabilities by outshooting Barlow 14-5. Despite the Nighthawks’ shot advantage, the rival teams fought hard to score first. The lone goal of the game was Barlow’s Dan Goldman from sophomore Jeff Cohen’s assist. Barlow’s staunch defense nine saves by goalkeeper Anthony Caruso secured an important win for the Falcons.

The next day the Falcons traveled to Stratford to face a competitive Bunnell team. Barlow extended its win streak to four games by defeating the home team 1-0.

The Falcons captured the lead in the first half when Barlow took a free kick towards the goal. Goldman shot it and it deflected off the Bunnell goalkeeper. Senior Will Kiriazidis scored off the rebound. The second half posed a battle for Barlow to maintain its lead but it was ultimately successful.

Jake Soodek had two assists for Barlow in its win against Weston on Friday with goals coming from Sean Basak-Smith and Phillip King.

In the New Fairfield game, the Barlow defense shut out the Rebels and allowed only two shots on Caruso. Consequentially, the match was all about the Falcons’ offensive playmaking, as they challenged New Fairfield goalkeeper Tim Mingione 15 times.

Barlow finally converted one of these efforts with 16:30 remaining in the first half. Matt Giamportone capitalized on a loose ball, placing it in for Barlow’s first goal of the game. Minutes later, Goldman placed a free kick on Chris Ferullo’s head that he banged in to the right side of the goal for the final tally of the game.

Now 9-3-2 overall, the Falcons enter the SWC playoffs as the third or fourth seed. They play in the quarterfinals on Saturday at home against an opponent to be determined.