Barrington, Conant take
center stage for Classic final
By Mike Garofola
It will be an all-Mid-Suburban League title match at the 33rd-annual Barrington Classic when the host welcomes longtime league rival Conant at 6 p.m. at Barrington Community Stadium.
That these clubs are looking to lift the championship trophy is a bit of a surprise. Pretournament favorites Glenbrook North and reigning Class AA state champion Boylan will play for third place at 4 p.m.
Barrington (4-1-1) graduated its entire midfield plus several additional key veterans from last season’s 16-4-1 campaign.
"I am not totally surprised by the start that we've had this season despite all of the quality that we lost to graduation," began senior Jack Peterson, who wears the captain's armband proudly for manager Scott Steib.
"To be honest, this team has so much grit, heart, desire. We're really technical, plus everyone has bought into what the coaching staff has been preaching to us. It's real exciting right now to be a part of this team."
The Broncos were a stingy bunch in their pool-play contests and opened with a 2-0 win against Jacobs on Monday. Barrington downed Taft 1-0 Tuesday and earned the Red Pool's championship berth with a 2-0 victory over Boylan on Thursday.
"We have returning players Mathew Klujian and Adam Walocha leading the way along the back," offered Peterson, who played the nine a year ago and now is deployed as the Broncos' 10. “Paco Hernandez, a forward last year, is now on the outside. Logan Cidulka has been an absolute beast as our center back. They are all doing a great job in front of Iker Villagomez and Alex Hackney, who together have been great as our keepers.
"We're super organized and compact. From that we've been able to counter really well. We have a handful of goals off the counter and on set pieces," continued Peterson, who bagged the opener against Boylan when he converted a second half spot-kick.
Patrick Tabb, a sophomore, doubled the Broncos advantage after junior Kian Cullen provided the helper.
Daniel Gawronski, Max Miller and Tabb have been the men in the middle of the park for the new-look Broncos.
Click here to see the Barrington team page
Conant (4-0-1) has been quick to put a dreary 2-16-1 2021 fall record behind it.
Manager Jason Franco’s club has already doubled the win total and matched that campaign’s goal total after a dominating 6-0 effort Thursday against Streamwood that earned the Cougars their finals berth.
The 22 goals scored so far this season show the dynamic, diverse and deadly attack the Cougars possess. And there's likely much more on the way before the season ends.
"I knew we had talent and could create chances, but I did not anticipate this level of consistency in our attacking play," began Franco, who is now in his 15th year at the helm.Barrington boys 2022
"Teams have really struggled to slow us down. Our defense has been more than I've expected and has played so much better here at this tournament."
Senior Carson Belcher leads the club in scoring with seven goals and is followed closely by five-goal sophomore Krystian Niziolek, who’s been a terrific addition after coming over from club soccer.
Peter Cirbo, Frank Mari and Kanau Takahashi have terrific pace and purpose in their game. Each is the kind of attacking player who warrants special attention.
"We have not played a team that has matched our athleticism, and I expect Barrington to be that team,” said Franco. “They will be disciplined, hard-working and physical. It should be a terrific early-season match for both of us."
The teams have some Barrington Classic history behind them. The Broncos defeated the Cougars 2-1 in the 2016 final.
Saturday tournament schedule
Jacobs at Streamwood, noon (seventh)
Taft vs. Lake Zurich, 2 at Streamwood (fifth)
Glenbrook North vs. Boylan, 4 at Barrington (third)
Conant at Barrington, 6 at Barrington (title)
center stage for Classic final
By Mike Garofola
It will be an all-Mid-Suburban League title match at the 33rd-annual Barrington Classic when the host welcomes longtime league rival Conant at 6 p.m. at Barrington Community Stadium.
That these clubs are looking to lift the championship trophy is a bit of a surprise. Pretournament favorites Glenbrook North and reigning Class AA state champion Boylan will play for third place at 4 p.m.
Barrington (4-1-1) graduated its entire midfield plus several additional key veterans from last season’s 16-4-1 campaign.
"I am not totally surprised by the start that we've had this season despite all of the quality that we lost to graduation," began senior Jack Peterson, who wears the captain's armband proudly for manager Scott Steib.
"To be honest, this team has so much grit, heart, desire. We're really technical, plus everyone has bought into what the coaching staff has been preaching to us. It's real exciting right now to be a part of this team."
The Broncos were a stingy bunch in their pool-play contests and opened with a 2-0 win against Jacobs on Monday. Barrington downed Taft 1-0 Tuesday and earned the Red Pool's championship berth with a 2-0 victory over Boylan on Thursday.
"We have returning players Mathew Klujian and Adam Walocha leading the way along the back," offered Peterson, who played the nine a year ago and now is deployed as the Broncos' 10. “Paco Hernandez, a forward last year, is now on the outside. Logan Cidulka has been an absolute beast as our center back. They are all doing a great job in front of Iker Villagomez and Alex Hackney, who together have been great as our keepers.
"We're super organized and compact. From that we've been able to counter really well. We have a handful of goals off the counter and on set pieces," continued Peterson, who bagged the opener against Boylan when he converted a second half spot-kick.
Patrick Tabb, a sophomore, doubled the Broncos advantage after junior Kian Cullen provided the helper.
Daniel Gawronski, Max Miller and Tabb have been the men in the middle of the park for the new-look Broncos.
Click here to see the Barrington team page
Conant (4-0-1) has been quick to put a dreary 2-16-1 2021 fall record behind it.
Manager Jason Franco’s club has already doubled the win total and matched that campaign’s goal total after a dominating 6-0 effort Thursday against Streamwood that earned the Cougars their finals berth.
The 22 goals scored so far this season show the dynamic, diverse and deadly attack the Cougars possess. And there's likely much more on the way before the season ends.
"I knew we had talent and could create chances, but I did not anticipate this level of consistency in our attacking play," began Franco, who is now in his 15th year at the helm.Barrington boys 2022
"Teams have really struggled to slow us down. Our defense has been more than I've expected and has played so much better here at this tournament."
Senior Carson Belcher leads the club in scoring with seven goals and is followed closely by five-goal sophomore Krystian Niziolek, who’s been a terrific addition after coming over from club soccer.
Peter Cirbo, Frank Mari and Kanau Takahashi have terrific pace and purpose in their game. Each is the kind of attacking player who warrants special attention.
"We have not played a team that has matched our athleticism, and I expect Barrington to be that team,” said Franco. “They will be disciplined, hard-working and physical. It should be a terrific early-season match for both of us."
The teams have some Barrington Classic history behind them. The Broncos defeated the Cougars 2-1 in the 2016 final.
Saturday tournament schedule
Jacobs at Streamwood, noon (seventh)
Taft vs. Lake Zurich, 2 at Streamwood (fifth)
Glenbrook North vs. Boylan, 4 at Barrington (third)
Conant at Barrington, 6 at Barrington (title)