Lely battles Barron to 1-1 tie – Trojans eying soccer district playoffs

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Marco's Russ Castillo flies over Barron Collier goalie Erik Larson after Castillo's shot was stopped by Larson in a 1-1 tie on Friday night.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Roger LaLonde/Staff (2) Lely's Wilfredo Lopez draws the attention of Barron Collier defenders as he moves the ball down field at Lely on Friday night. The teams tied, 1-1.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Rogere LaLonde Staff Barron Collier and Lely players watch the soccer ball as it goes into the net for a Lely score on Friday night. Marco Island's Nick Ruiz (15) blasted the ball through defenders for the score. Barron goalie Eirk Lasrson (00) came out of the net to secure the ball, allowing Ruiz's kick to go into the empty net. The teams tied, 1-1.

Photo by ROGER LALONDE

Roger LaLonde Staff Rob Schenk, Lely soccer coach, talks to his Trojans during halftime of the team's match with Barron Collier on Friday night. The Trojans came out quickly in the second half to score a goal as the team's tied, 1-1.

Lely and Barron Collier showed why they have racked up 10 wins each, although they played to a 1-1 tie at Lely on Friday.

Both teams played aggressively, with each teams' goals coming off defensive pressure.

Barron scored first at the 10-minute mark. Lely goalie Jesus Olalde made two saves in front of the net, but a clearing pass right in front of the goal was intercepted and knocked in for a score.

For the rest of the half momentum switched often, but neither team could capitalize.

Early in the second half Lely continued its attack, forcing Barron goalie Erik Larson to make key saves and two Lely shots hit the goal post.

Finally, at the 18-minute mark, the Trojans scored.

Players came together, almost like a scrum in Rugby, in front of the Barron goal. Larson stopped a shot but the ball came free. He went out for another stop, but out of the pile came Lely's Nick Ruiz who smashed the ball through the defense. All watched, including Larson, as he was outside the net, not able to halt the rolling ball to tie the game.

The remainder of the contest was competitive, but neither team seemed to have the ability to play consistently after coming back from the Christmas break.

The lone breakaway by Barron's speedy Morgan was stopped by center mid Jesus Hernandez.

"Morgan is very fast but couldn't get by Jesus who played a solid game," Lely coach Rob Schenk said.

Wilvanely Cerisiers, Lely mid center, fought to gain advantages for the Lely offense, along with Ritchy Absolu.

With the tie, Lely is 10-6-2 and Barron, 10-1-4.

"I thought it was a good game to have for both teams before school starts," Lely coach Rob Schenk said. Lely has two games this week, playing at home against Palmetto Ridge tonight at 7 p.m. and hosting Golden Gate at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Then two more games next week, leading into the Class 4A District 12 playoffs.

Lely is the No. 5 seed with a district mark of 3-3-1. The Trojans begin with Naples on Jan. 22 at Naples. The Trojans tied No. 1 seed Immokalee and lost to No. 2 Estero on a penalty kick. Should Lely win two games it will be in the finals at Lely on Jan. 26.

"Our record should be better, but we had players missing in those losses," Schenk said. "You never know when it comes to district."

Four years ago the No. 4 seed Lely won the district.