Eagles Move On to Championship Soccer Match Friday

Junior forward Matt Giron netted a pair of goals to push Barrington High's unbeaten boys' soccer team past South Kingstown, 2-1, and into Friday's Rhode Island Interscholastic League Division I championship match. 

"[Giron's] a great player," said the top-seeded Eagles' head coach, Don Denham.  "He's been on and off all season, but this was his time.  I knew it was going to come eventually."

Giron's game-winning goal, scored during the 71st minute, came with an assist from junior Allesandro Guani (forward/midfielder).  Guani accepted a pass from senior Jeffrey Craven (midfielder/forward), whose slick dribbling and patience near midfield initiated the offensive attack. 

Guani used one touch to move the ball toward Giron, who booted it past South Kingstown's goalkeeper and into the lower left-hand corner of the net.

Giron scored the Eagles' other goal in the first half, using his head to redirect senior midfielder Brett Sullivan's delivery from the corner.  South Kingstown attempted to respond before intermission, generating a particularly good opportunity during the 33rd minute.  With the ball sailing toward the upper left-hand corner of Barrington's goal and several Rebel attackers lurking near the post, senior defender Chace Coleman leaped into the air to re-direct the pass and thwart South Kingstown's attempt.

The Eagles did succumb to the Rebels during the game's final minutes, when forward Zachary Campo's volley beat Barrington sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Jones to halve the lead.

Despite the win, Denham said Barrington played sloppily throughout the majority of the match, struggling to move the ball horizontally.  The Eagles were pressured heavily by South Kingstown's central midfielders, whose aggressiveness seemed to trouble well-rested Barrington.

Both teams had a week to prepare for Wednesday's semifinal after Monday's rainy weather forced postponement of the scheduled match. 

The Eagles will go for their 11th state title Friday, Nov. 12, at 7 pm at Rhode Island College.  They will match up with either second-seeded Shea or sixth-seeded North Kingstown, whose semifinal match began after Barrington's match in Cranston Stadium.

Once-beaten Shea was the favorite in the other semifinal. The Pawtucket squad's only defeat this season was to Barrington, 2-0, about three weeks ago. The two teams tied, 1-1, the first time they played this season in early October.

Barrington's record now stands at 15-0-4. 

Download the movie