After 106 minutes, Barrington wins state title
Barrington proved good things really do come to those who wait when 21 years after appearing in its first state tournament series it lifted the championship trophy.
Ryan Nolan struck the game-winner in the 106th minute as the Broncos (25-2) defeated Neuqua Valley late Saturday night before a packed house at North Central College in Naperville and sent its fans and players into an emotional frenzy.
"Unbelievable ... just unbelievable," roared Barrington coach Scott Steib as he circulated through a maze of players to congratulate and hug his lads.
"Neuqua is such an amazing team and has been all year. But tonight we ended up on top when it counted at the end."
In a strong field, perhaps little time or thought was given to the Broncos' chances as New Trier and Neuqua were the eye-catching pre-tournament favorites.
However, this final would bring together two sides which were listed 1-2 nearly all season long in Daily Herald rankings. Neither failed in bringing its best to this match.
"I never lost faith in this team tonight," said the heroic Nolan. "Neuqua is so good. Their midfield just played great all night and kept the pressure on us the entire match.
"But I never lost faith," Nolan said as his voice trailed off.
The Broncos' all-state striker Francesco Furio thumped in the first goal of the match at 24 minutes. But even then, it seemed that would be enough for a rampant Neuqua side which featured superb speed and pace for the 100-plus minutes of play.
In particular, Bret Hruby was brilliant up top with dangerous runs and non-stop running. Teammate Bryan Gaul's piercing free-kick serves to the spot or near the edge of the box kept the Broncos' backline defending more than they would have wanted on any night.
Hruby found Bryan Ciesiulka at 53 minutes for the equalizer, and from that point on the Broncos' counted heavily on keeper Tom Unak, who made several goal-saving stops to easily earn top honors at his position during the two-day tournament.
The junior reacted at point-blank range to turn a Ciesiulka blast up and over the woodwork at 71 minutes.
However, Unak's best save of the evening came when regulation was nearing an end after officials threw Neuqua a lifeline by giving the Wildcats a penalty kick attempt when Matt Gallup was brushed off of the ball inside the box.
True to his weekend form, Unak guessed correctly on a Hruby drive from the spot to turn away what could have been the game-winner.
In a compelling match that flowed from end-to-end at times, it was a set-piece which would decide who would carry the hardware away in celebration.
Nolan headed a superb serve in close by Cameron Reilly on the second of 2 free-kick chances from the far touchline.
"Cameron is the guy that I have had so much confidence in on corners and dead-ball serves all season and he didn't let me down," said Nolan.
"Four years," said Furio, who along with Reilly are the only two to be four-year players. "It was well worth the wait."