Barrington tops Waukegan at home

Being the top seed in the highly competitive Mundelein sectional didn’t leave Barrington with a favorable draw going against No. 16 seed Waukegan which, despite that low number, had amassed a 9-7-5 record.

But the Broncos didn’t let it bother them, and took care of business on their home field.

Barrington erupted with 3 goals in the first half in a 5-1 victory over Waukegan in the Class 3A Barrington regional semifinal on Tuesday night.

Barrington (16-3-4) will meet up with No. 8 seed Libertyville (10-8) in a regional final at 6 p.m. Saturday at Barrington. The Wildcats outscored No. 10 seed Stevenson 4-2 in the other semifinal.

David Conrad scored a goal and assisted on another for the Broncos. Connor Hennelly, Wesley Collins, Logan Morris and Casey Slingo also scored, and Conrad, Jamie Tausend and Andrew Simek each had assists.

“(Waukegan) had two quality wins (Evanston and Round Lake) coming in,” Barrington coach Scott Steib said. “I didn’t think it was a very good draw, but I was happy we were home.

“We had a good year and we don’t let up that many goals (11 all season) . We haven’t been that good of a team scoring goals. Anytime we get goals, it does look good for us.”

Conrad opened the scoring for the Broncos off a head flick from Phillips in the 10th minute.

“I was able to get the end of it,” said Conrad. “I just reacted to hit it.

“A lot of our goals, I wouldn’t call them scrappy goals. Most of them have come inside the box. Off set pieces, we really haven’t that many.”

Barrington’s other two first-half tallies were from Hennelly from Conrad in the 23rd minute, and from Collins, who knocked in a header with a Tausend assist in the 38th minute.

Waukegan came out with better energy to start the second half. Erick Cerna curled a long-range kick that made the score 3-1 in the 48th minute. Then, the Bulldogs nearly cut the lead to 1, but Broncos keeper Pat Deroche (4 saves) made a point-blank save.

“I thought we were able to pick things up,” Waukegan coach Joe Martinez said. “It showed the upside of our guys when we scored. Barrington was so physical, and wore us down.”

Barrington added two more goal, with Morris connecting on a penalty kick in the 58th minute and Slingo with a Simek assist in the 74th minute.