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Barrington rallies to edge Meadows

Reid Strain rescued Barrington in regulation from what looked like sure defeat, and teammate Colter Williams finished off visiting Rolling Meadows (3-7-1, 1-4-1) in the 96th minute to give the host Broncos a 2-1 victory in a Mid-Suburban League soccer match Saturday afternoon.

Strain put in his fifth goal of the season six minutes from time to bring the hosts even as the Mustangs looked to make a goal at 31 minutes hold up. But Williams, who was pushed up from his place along the back to give the Broncos three strikers for the final quarter-hour of regulation, earned man-of-the-match honors with his game-winner.

“We had a lot of trouble with (Rolling Meadows) in the first half, but when we got to that first OT period, I think everyone on this team realized that we had to go out and work as hard as we could, and that good things could happen if we did,” said Williams, who along with John Gallagher, Brian Sheetz and Brett Qualiardi limited the visitors to just a few chances, only to concede a Noe Zarate goal at the half-hour mark.

“After going up on Barrington, I really felt that we picked up our play and created some good things going forward, while defending all of the long throws and corner they had,” said Rolling Meadows coach Peter Mikulak. “And as the match went longer, and they didn’t equalize, I began to think we could hold on to get ourselves a big win today.”

After the break, Meadows sometimes had four freshmen playing against a senior-dominated Barrington group.

The Mustangs back line, led by senior Josh Galvin, who recently volunteered to move into the role of sweeper for Mikulak, did well to absorb some early pressure from the likes of Strain, Grant McAndrew, Bryan Adams and Craig Zahour. The strong work of the Mustangs’ back four, coupled with some sound play form keeper Juan Mestizo, kept the Broncos out of the goal.

“We did some good stuff in our possession, and were in their end for a good portion of time — but none of that means much if you can’t get into the back of the net,” said Barrington coach Scott Steib, who until the Broncos’ 3-1 victory on Friday night, had not seen his team score 3 goals in a match since its 3-2 win over Lake Zurich, way back on Aug. 29.

As it happens so often, the Broncos (4-6-2, 2-1-1), despite enjoying the run of play in the first half-hour, quickly found themselves trailing on the scoreboard when Miguel San Roman’s through ball was timed perfectly for Zarate, who slotted past Barrington keeper Max Redpath.

The hosts’ finishing frustration continued after the break, when Zahour and McAndrew set up Strain, who watched his line drive at the back post stopped by Mestizo. Moments later, a left-footed blast from Ethan Claes was saved at the near post.

As the Mustangs’ continued to defend well as a team, especially at midfield, it also sprung a surprise or two with a well-designed counter.

With freshman Brett Gibson in between his junior mates Zarate and Manuel Espino, the visitors nearly doubled their lead as an Espino header sailed wide from close range. And Just before the Broncos drew even, both Mark Plescia and Williams missed the target.

At 74 minutes, Strain did not miss. The senior thumped home from close range after Jack Hoots got things going with a long throw, and Gallagher helped keep the ball alive in the area.

In the 93rd minute, Redpath stopped a point-blank cracker from Zarate, setting the stage for the Williams header. Again, Hoots initiated with a well-aimed corner.

“I thought we almost got the break we wanted when Zoe got in on their keeper — then minutes later, we conceded a corner, and they finished us off,” said Galvin.