The Ocean City Barons opened their 2007 home schedule with a convincing 5-0 victory over the Reading Rage. The home side received goals from five different players, including Byron Carmichael, Scott Hawkins, Brad Peters, Sean Boyle and Kyle Evans. Adam Edwards continued to be outstanding in goal, making eight saves, one of which was a spectacular penalty kick stop in the final minutes of the game. With the win, the Barons improve to 3-0-0 and currently sit in first place in Open Cup qualifying with only one game left to play. The Reading Rage, on the other hand, are eliminated from Open Cup contention with the loss. If Ocean City can qualify for the tournament, it’s been revealed that they will face a professional team in the first round. The Ocean City Barons opened their 2007 home schedule with a convincing 5-0 victory over the Reading Rage. The home side received goals from five different players, including Byron C armichael, Scott Hawkins, Brad Peters, Sean Boyle and Kyle Evans. Adam Edwards continued to be outstanding in goal, making eight saves, one of which was a spectacular penalty kick stop in the final minutes of the game. With the win, the Barons improve to 3-0-0 and currently sit in first place in Open Cup qualifying with only one game left to play. The Reading Rage, on the other hand, are eliminated from Open Cup contention with the loss. If Ocean City can qualify for the tournament, it’s been revealed that they will face a professional team in the first round.

 

 

M.V.P. Michael Galeski with Shore Siding owner and  Ocean City Barons President John Granese

The Men in Red wasted no time getting the first goal on the board. Mick Galeski’s shot forced a rebound from Rage goalkeeper Liam Fitzwater, and Byron Carmichael was in the right place at the right time.

Twenty minutes later, Galeski was the playmaker. He made a move to the endline and crossing the ball into the area where Scott Hawkins (Whippany, NJ) finished it off from close range for his first goal of the season.

The Barons raised the lead to 3-0 after a beautiful airial ball that found Hawkins wide open on the doorstep. Hawkins headed the ball on goal and it struck the crossbar. Then, it was Peters (Eastern Illinois) who came flying into the penalty area to clean up the mess for his second goal of the season.

"We didn’t expect this at all," said head coach Mike Pellegrino. "It was just one of those nights where everything fell into place."

Reading threw everything forward after the halftime break, trying to cut into the lead, but the Barons’ defense held strong. The majority of the second half passed without many highlights, until the final ten minutes when the Barons were awarded a free kick just outside of the area.

In the 82nd minute, Sean Boyle’s free kick was bent around the wall and into the back of the net to make it 4-0.

The play of the match came in the 86th minute when the Barons were called for a foul in the box, awarding a penalty to Reading. AJ Kulp stepped up to take it and Edwards dove to his right to make the stop. Before the goalkeeper even had a chance to think, the rebound was loose and the ball was fired right back at him, but he was quick enough to recover and made the amazing save.

In the dying minutes of the match, another penalty kick was awarded, but this time for the Barons. Ryan Heins (Medford, NJ) used his physical skills to shield his defender, once the double team came, he slipped a ball through to Kyle Evans (Seaville, NJ) who was in one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, his defender was able to catch up to him and foul him in the process, forcing the referee to point to the penalty spot. Evans converted the penalty for his first goal of the season to make it 5-0.

Mick Galeski from Eastern Illinois University was awarded the Man of the Match for his two assists and his overall performance. 

The Ocean City Barons return to the "Beach House" on Friday, May 25 for the final game of Open Cup qualfiication against the Richmond Kickers Future. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Carey Stadium. For more information, visit the club’s official website at www.ocbarons.com.