Confident Conant edges Barrington

Nearly a week after dealing Mid-Suburban League boys soccer leader Schaumburg its first defeat of the season, Conant continued to stay in a upset mode after defeating Barrington 3-2 on Thursday at Charles Feutz Field on senior night in Hoffman Estates.

A fourth straight win for the Cougars (7-3-4, 5-3-0) moves them 2 points clear of the Broncos and into second place in the MSL West with 15 points, with just one week remaining in the regular season.

"You couldn't have asked for a more entertaining game tonight," said Conant coach Jason Franco. "Barrington is obviously a quality club, and they really put us under pressure in the second half. But we did what we had to do defensively, received a couple of big stops from Christian (Hyde) in goal, and got another good result and 3 points."

Cougars junior Michael Rizzo said a more confident approach has made a big difference.

"We've kind of found ourselves, and our stride, after that Schaumburg win, and the mindset of late has been to defend first, then attack - that's exactly what we did tonight," said Rizzo, who along with backline mates Matt and Tommy Biernat and Kyle Nelli absorbed plenty of pressure after the Broncos (11-4-3, 4-3-1) pulled one back early in the second period to jumpstart their attack.

"Obviously you don't want to concede 2 goals like we did," said Barrington coach Scott Steib.

Trouble along the Barrington back line provided an opportunity for Conant's Cezar Alfaro to finish past junior keeper Alex Ruffolo, who in the confusion suffered an injury, ending his evening for good just three minutes into the contest.

Ruffolo eventually left under his own power and appeared to be no worse for wear, despite a cut over his eye. He was replaced by sophomore Bretty Sprengel.

Conant's Cougars Mikoto Kobayashi lashed home the second goal less than sixty seconds into the second period after a missed clearing attempt.

"We were fortunate to get those two goals the way we did, but we were also fortunate to have Christian save us with point-blank stops," said Franco.

The best of the two stops may have been at nine minutes, when the senior turned around a 12-yard snap-shot from Hans Pallan.

Pallan, one of the top strikers in the area, left the match in the 17th minute when he looked to aggravate a persistent ankle injury along the far touchline.

The Cougars struggled to deal with the creativity of Gio Guarnero in the middle of the park, and the great speed and pace of Nash Pirie, whose lung-bursting runs up the left side broke the down Conant's organization along the back.

"We had no answer for No. 17 (Pirie) in the last half of the first half, and we tried to double him at times after the break, but we never really contained him on the outside at all," Franco said.

The Broncos might have cut the advantage in half, if not for another superb save on sophomore Klaus Pallan just after the home side made it 2-0. But lovely bit of football ended when Josh Coulter delivered at the back post, finishing what Pirie and Klaus Pallan started.

Conant's response was immediate however, and captain Kevin Sindewald steered in the eventual game-winner two minutes after the Coulter goal.

Alex Ramirez drew the visitors within 1 goal when he turned and sent a looping left-footer towards the goal. It was redirected off a Conant player and found the back of the net.

Steib threw more numbers forward with a 3-4-3 formation in the final eleven minutes of action, and despite stretching, testing, and possessing deep in the Conant end for most of the final quarter-hour, his Broncos just could not find a way to get draw even.

"What you saw tonight is pretty much the way we've been of late," said Steib. "There is not a lack of effort, but we've had our trouble putting together two solid 40-minute halves, and you have to do that in this conference."

The Broncos host Hersey this Saturday for homecoming weekend.

"Credit Barrington for their work rate, and all of the pressure they heaped upon us, especially in the second half," said Franco. "But I am proud of the effort of the team, and now we hope to continue to use the momentum we've built from here on out."