After a strong 1-0 performance over Edison on Wednesday, the Barons fell victim to a lack of urgency and an organized Marina opponent with a 1-2 score. This was the second time the Barons had lost to the Vikings, and their coveted 1st place status in Sunset was degraded on Friday as was their unbeaten record in league play now at 3-1-0.
The Barons started off very well against the Vikings. The energy was high and in the first five minutes Wade Sias (’12) rocketed one from an outside angle inside the box, to the opposite side of the goal giving the Barons an early lead. After the early goal the Barons looked a little complacent, passes were not connecting and the defense seemed to be lackadaisical at times. The Barons were playing in an aggressive 3 forward formation, but throughout the game there was an inability to play the ball through to the top heavy offense. Only 10 minutes after the first goal Marina struck and tied the game 1-1. The Barons looked deflated after allowing the Vikings to tie up the game. The rest of the half saw a more defensive posture from the Barons and nothing was able to be created up top sending the game into the 2nd half all tied at 1-1.
In the second half, the Barons once again switched to three forwards and tried to put some pressure on the Vikings. Early success brought some dangerous chances for the Barons in the beginning of the half, but to know avail. The majority of the half after, was contended closely, but without the Barons threatening a goal. With less than 15 minutes left in the game the Barons allowed a fatal second goal to Marina, off a long throw in play. Down 1-2 the Barons seemed to awaken and the rest of the half saw a desperate Baron team fight to win the game. Although the boys had the ball most of the rest of the way through they were unable to convert and Marina truly held out the Baron attack to finish a strong game. The final score a disappointing 1-2 for the Barons.
The season is nearing the half way mark and the Sunset League became very interesting after Friday’s games. Marina sits tied for first with Los Al; Edison is tied for fourth with Newport, and all alone is Fountain Valley third in the league. Next week though another shift in the league could occur. Fountain Valley could easily be back on top with a victory over Los Al and a Marina loss to Edison who will be looking to claw back in the standings. Coach Smith stressed the season was in no way over, “you can have one slip up each half of the season, but other than that it has to really be perfect.”
The Barons have had a great year thus far, but in High School soccer its your last game that counts not the last 15 or so, the biggest game of the season for the Barons is next Wednesday at home against a strong Los Al opponent.
