REDDING—With Weston only allowed one goal in its first three games of the season while Barlow had kept a clean sheet, going unscored upon in its first three contests.
When the two met Thursday at Barlow it took a perfectly executed set piece by Weston with under four minutes to play to finally crack the code of the Barlow defense and give the Trojans a hard-fought 1-0 win over their rivals.
After a foul by Barlow (3-1-0), Weston (4-0-0) was awarded a free-kick about 45 yards from goal.
Playing the ball short, Weston worked the ball outside where freshman Max Weiss took a few dribbles before sending a low ball into the box which sophomore Henry Cohen just beat the Barlow defender to, finishing with a one-time touch for the game’s lone goal.
Weston has been attempting that set piece since the preseason but this was the first time it resulted in a goal.
“We have never scored on that once in practice but in the game, it was a magic moment,” Cohen said. “Once I saw the ball played out to Max (Weiss) I thought it could be a chance and he got it to me and it was just unreal. I come off the bench and it is just unreal to score in a game like this.”
Both Weiss and Cohen are reserve players as Weston starts 11 seniors.
Barlow coach Paul Winstanley said his team lacked focus at a crucial moment and that allowed the winning goal to score.
“What was concerning me most was our practices have not been good and we have had some focus-type issues and I think it showed today,” Winstanley said. “This is what is concerning: We had scouted them and knew what they liked to do on set pieces and on the last one we know they like to play short. One of my guys was right there square to the ball but he wasn’t between the ball and the man and now, they can execute. It’s a little thing but that’s the game right there.”
Barlow did have chances to score, especially early in the second half, but could not finish around the goal.
PLAYER OF THE GAME
The Weston back four. Taking on a team that can score in multiple ways, the backline of Weston stayed strong with senior starters Max Blank, David Tamburri, Sam Chicha and Tony Fontana all playing well.
QUOTABLE
“To beat Barlow is huge, especially at their place,” Weston coach Kevin Fitzsimmons said. “That is a set play we have worked on and it was just guys being in the right position. It was great because the freshman got on the end to put the ball back into the box and the sophomore scores the goal. It was a huge team effort today.”
Sericson@stamfordadvocate.com; @EricsonSports
WESTON 1, BARLOW 0
WESTON 0 1—1
BARLOW 0 0—0
Records: W 4-0-0; B 3-1-0
Goals: W—Henry Cohen. Assists: W—Max Weiss
Goalies: W—Matt Egan 7 saves; B—John Hoeing 6 saves.
