WINTER PARK, Fla.--The Barry University men’s soccer team found themselves in a familiar position Friday night. In recent years the Bucs have been able to beat Rollins in the regular season but have lost to the Tars in postseason play the last two years.
This season has been a role reversal as it was the Tars whom defeated the Buccaneers twice in the regular season while the Bucs return the favor by outing them of the NCAA Tournament. Barry defeated Rollins by a final of 3-1, advancing to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Buccaneers (12-3-5) came out of the gate aggressively and were hit with a few cautions in the early going of the match. Mark Anderson was issued a yellow card 45 seconds into the period, but this would not phase the Bucs.
On a chilly, autumn night the men set the tone of the game from the start and jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Senior forward Kendal Seally was able to get behind the Tars' keeper, Keneil Baker, caught out of position and punch it in for the game’s first score.
The Tars (15-4-0) would counter with a couple scoring opportunities, but goalkeeper Johnny Rodrigues was up to the task as he made two diving saves early on. After that, the Buccaneer defense tightened up for the remainder of the half and would limit the Tars offensively.
The Bucs kept applying the pressure offensively and in the 29th minute junior Joe Conkleton found Randy Taylor who connected for the second goal of the game lifting Barry to a 2-0 lead at the intermission.
The second half would prove to be as hard fought as the first, and just after the 79th minute mark the Tars cut the deficit to one goal after converting a penalty kick. However this group of Buccaneers were up to the challenge and tightened up the backline, and were able to put the game away in the final seconds when Anderson, the nation’s leading goal scorer, chipped a goal over the head of reserve keeper Anthony White for the final score.
The Bucs now will face rival Lynn in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. The Fighting Knights won the regular season meeting 2-0 and drew the second time they faced off in the SSC Tournament Semifinal (Bucs advanced on PK’s).
Follow along with live action through the Barry University athletic site, GOBARRYBUCS.COM.
Soccer Game Summary (Final)
2011 Barry University Soccer
#25 Barry vs #11 Rollins (11/11/11 at Winter Park, Fla.)
Barry (12-3-5) vs. Rollins (15-4)
Date: 11/11/11 Attendance: 610
Weather: definitely fall is in the air
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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Barry......................... 2 1 - 3
Rollins..................... 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 13:41 BUM Kendall Sealy (Guilherme Oliveira) - misplayed ball by Rollins defense
2. 29:49 BUM Randy Taylor (Joe Conkleton) - serve from left side
3. 79:24 RCM Matt Bauchle (5) Penalty kick
4. 89:41 BUM Mark Anderson (unassisted) - breakaway, chip over keeper
Shots: Barry 15, Rollins 13
Saves: Barry 3 (Johnny Rodrigues 3), Rollins 4 (Anthony White 2; Keneil Baker 1; TEAM 1)