Boys soccer: Barrington shuts out Elk Grove
Barrington's boys soccer team shut out Elk Grove Thursday night at Robert Haskell Stadium with a dominating first half offensive performance led by Niko Argyros' 2 goals to claim a 3-0 Mid-Suburban West victory.
The Broncos' (11-5-2, 6-3-0) second consecutive shutout gives coach Scott Steib's club 18 points overall, 4 points off division leading Fremd, which defeated Wheeling 1-0 on Thursday.
"I was very pleased with our overall effort, particularly with the way we possessed and connected passes, many of which came in sequences in which we strung 10-15 balls together which gave us a really good vibe from the onset," said the Broncos' head coach.
"We created a lot of quality play through the run of play, and did well against an Elk Grove team which is far better than what its record is in the league thus far."
To illustrate just how well the visitors held onto the ball, in the first ten minutes of play, the Broncos connected on nearly 55 passes forcing the Grens (4-8-0, 1-8-0) to absorb plenty of pressure, which they did by keeping its shape in their own end, while staying organized at the same time.
"Barrington is one of those teams that brings quality and it was their movement off the ball, plus quick passes, and ability to keep the ball that kept us under pressure, especially in that first half," admitted Grens head coach Alex Stavropoulos.
"Their first goal was superb - nobody stops that one."
"The second was off of a great free kick, which we unfortunately allowed to fall into our box with Barrington being the first to the ball."
"We had our chances here and there, but you have to finish those chances to win these types of games."
It's been the way things have gone for the Grens, who have lost three games in the final two minutes, recently in overtime to MSL East leader Buffalo Grove (2-1) and to both Conant and Hersey by one-goal."
The aforementioned Argyros' 2 goals in the first half provided all the morale boosting energy the visitors would need with the opening strike coming in the 17th minute, when the sophomore collected a Michael Blanke helper at the end of a lovely build up before unloading a 20-yard cracker that rattled off the bar and over the end line.
"I just had a touch to my right to get a little time and space before I hit a curling shot," said Argyros, who made his sensational attempt sound much easier than it looked in real time.
The Broncos continued their near 75 percent possession rate to maintain control but Luis Godines, who enjoyed a terrific night, nearly equalized five minutes after the Broncos went ahead after teammate Nazar Peron helped create his chance.
Blanke would send an inch-perfect cross field free kick serve to Argyros, who finished with a sublime one-touch effort to double the Broncos' advantage three minutes before the break.
The home side would have its chance to pull one back moments before the intermission when Godines and Peron combined to put a dangerous ball to the back post where freshman Diego Negrete Meza redirected his header on frame.
"(They) could have put one or two in on us, but Cal Uhryniak was strong for us in goal tonight, and so was our back line," said Steib.
Junior Hernandez, who scored the game-winner on Tuesday over Fremd, was crafty enough to get himself hauled down in the box just two minutes into the second period.
Noah Sebens then converted his spot-kick to increase the lead to 3-0.
"We came out tonight just as good as we did the other night against Fremd. There was no letup from the big win and we continue to get better as a team each time we go out," said Argyros.
Barrington will be at home next Tuesday against Conant, while the Grens host Maine East this Saturday at noon, before they host Wheeling on Tuesday night.