Barbieri heroics propel team to comeback
By: Rudy Brandl
WARREN An entire zoo’s worth of monkeys came charging off the Hillsborough High boys’ soccer program’s back after Saturday’s thrilling victory over Bridgewater-Raritan in the Somerset County Tournament semifinals.
The Raiders (13-2-1) didn’t merely win a soccer game the HHS boys erased two decades of frustration in the county tournament while defeating their longtime nemesis, a team that has knocked them out many times since the last time they played for the title in 1986.
Thanks to Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 triumph, the Raiders will be playing for the Somerset County championship Saturday night at Ridge High’s Lee Field. They’ll face another nemesis and perennial powerhouse in top-seeded Pingry (10-2), the two-time defending champion. Game time is 7 p.m.
"We have a chance to prove we’re the best team in Somerset County," an emotional and jubilant Raider head coach Eric Puma said afterward. "We haven’t done that yet. We’re happy, but our mission isn’t accomplished yet."
The Raiders and Panthers had played two close games already this season, a 3-2 overtime victory by B-R and a 1-1 tie. Those results left the Raiders out of the Delaware Division East title chase, so this was their last chance to take something away from the Panthers.
Senior striker Chase Barbieri made it happen in dramatic fashion. Barbieri, who had scored the tying goal on a spectacular individual effort, netted the winner with 1:30 to play in regulation. Barbieri collected a rebound of a shot taken by sophomore Yannick Smith and fired a bullet into the far left corner past B-R keeper Sam Callari.
"They tried to clear it but I got a foot on it and got around the guy," Barbieri said. "Yannick kept working hard. That’s how I got the opportunity."
Barbieri set the tone for Hillsborough’s dominance in the second half with a goal less than two minutes into the 40-minute session. He won a loose ball on a deflection in midfield and dribbled all the way down the left flank before cutting in and releasing a perfect left-footed shot into the side netting.
"I was going to play a through-ball to Yannick but the defender was playing that way so I just went in," Barbieri said. "I took it far post and beat the goalkeeper."
The Raiders continued applying pressure for the go-ahead goal. They piled up five corner kicks in a seven-minute span late in the game. Midfielder Kyle Downey created many chances with his hustling play and acrobatic long throw-ins from the sideline. It seemed like a matter of time before the Raiders would score again.
"I definitely thought we were going to put one in," Puma said. "We were creating a lot of chances."
Barbieri, who has scored many big goals during his career and especially in his senior year, came through with another big play.
"He knows what’s at stake," Puma said. "He made the decision that Hillsborough was not going to lose today. He’s suffered a few difficult losses over the last couple of years. I’m happy he and the boys were able to experience this."
The senior leadership exhibited by Barbieri and classmates Sean Kelly, Alex Miska, Ben Klein and Mike Argueta propelled the Raiders in this match. They held B-R star Matt Kassel scoreless and gave themselves a chance to win their first county title in 20 years.
"This is definitely it," Barbieri said. "Since seventh and eighth-grade we’ve been playing together working for this. That’s how we’re going to get our county title hard work."
B-R scored early in the game and controlled the first half, but the Raiders turned it around and dominated more as the second half progressed. Hillsborough’s will and desire produced this special victory.
"It’s a testament to how much they wanted to win the game," Puma said. "Their desire really got them through the second half. They showed tremendous determination. It also shows how far the boys have come. There are a lot of seniors on this team. They’ve been working hard and they reaped the benefits of their hard work today."
"This means the world to me," Barbieri added. "It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had in soccer."
Barbieri hopes he can make that statement again Saturday night.

