The Barons ended their season in the first round of CIF against defending champions, San Clemente. A 1-2 loss to #4 ranked San Clemente sent the Barons back to Fountain Valley rethinking the match, and reminiscing about a season with so many could haves, yet one of their best in many years.
The Barons signed an early death sentence against San Clemente last Thursday. In less then two minutes into the game the Barons conceded a corner to a team coach Smith warned to be “dangerous on corners and set pieces.” Sure enough the Tritons had the ball bounce around the box, and after a couple of poor clearances on the Barons part, a Triton player hammered home a shot from the 6-yard box sending them ahead very early on. The Barons now had a to play literally the entire game fighting back a deficit.
The half continued and the Barons played an even game, although there was very little offensive production the entire half which saw not one shot from the Barons. About mid-way through the half the Barons conceded another corner. The Tritons played it short and after beating the baron defender a Triton player took a shot from the corner of the box that rolled quickly under Joseph Lorenger (’14) to send the Tritons up by two. The Barons responded back by playing a more offensive pressure and did see the ball stay up top a majority of the rest of the half. However the Barons were guilty of over dribbling and could not release the ball to create any dangerous chances.
In the second half the Barons stayed desperate, “were going to have to take chances and do things we wouldn’t normally do,” that was the message from Coach Jason Smith. In the beginning of the second half the Barons continued to be shut down by the Tritons and still could not find a way to get any shots on goal. About mid-way through the half though the Barons came up with a goal and gave themselves a fighting chance. The Barons had bobbled with the ball on the top of the box and the ball dropped down to Wade Sias (’12),who had to turn and face the goal, and as he faced the goalie he placed a shot that hit the post and went in. With immediate life the Barons went into full attack and continued to pressure San Clemente. The Tritons continued to posses the ball though and continued to wear down time as the game went on. The Barons were only able to muster up a few more offensive opportunities as the game went on, and as was the story of the game, could not find a way to get any more shots to test the goalie.
The Barons walked off the field for the last time of the season and dropped out of CIF in the first round.
Overall the Barons finished with a record of 16-7-3, going 6-3-1 in the Sunset League placing 3rd in league. Although the Barons will remember that they had 3 chances at the end of the season to clinch a first place spot that would have seeded them in much better position in the playoffs. Echoing what Coach Smith had emphasized from day one “It’s not how you start, its how you finish,” the Barons had a fantastic start going 6-1 in the first seven games, but in the last three put themselves out of the top spot in Sunset, the leading goal scorer for the Barons this season, faces off against a Los Al defender in the last game of the season.
Leading scorers for the Barons were Ethan Morrow (’12) with 14 goals and Joseph Solimon (’13) with 9. The defense for the Barons was exceptional this season allowing more than 2 goals only once in their wild card game; while keeping the shutout a total of 13 games, and allowing less than a goal a game overall. The Barons lose 6 seniors this year, but return most of their starting team. Fountain Valley played a very strong year and although their playoff hopes ended earlier then they would have liked, the Barons will feel confident about their chances next season and will look back on the 2011-2012 season with satisfaction.
