MONROE, CT — After dropping a hard-fought 2-1 decision to visiting Notre Dame-Fairfield in the Sept. 3 season opener, Masuk High’s boys soccer team tied Joel Barlow of Redding 5-5 in another home game, on Sept. 5.
Masuk’s Cash Dewey’s free kick was batted around the box, finding Kevin Carreon to score the Panthers’ first goal of the season in the setback.
The Panthers came from behind in the high-scoring battle against Barlow. The visiting Falcons came out aggressively and took an early 1-0 lead, which stood up through the first half of play. Barlow added to the advantage for a 2-0 score early in the second half as the goal-scoring floodgates opened.
Masuk’s Cristiano Rivera scored a sensational goal from the top of the box to cut the deficit in half. Less than five minutes later, Cash Dewey scored to tie things. Barlow reclaimed the lead a few minutes later and back-and-forth it went.
With 25 minutes left in the second half, Dewey scored his second goal of the evening only to see Barlow rebound quickly and score two goals within the next six minutes.
The Panthers found themselves down 5-3 late to a very talented Joel Barlow team — down but not out. With 13 minutes left in regulation, senior Cole Rigby assisted Rivera for his second goal of the game to make it 5-4. Rigby then found the back of the net to tie the score with just four minutes remaining.
Barlow held off Masuk late to settle for the deadlock.
“While I am disappointed we did not get the win, I am extremely proud that the boys never gave up and continued to fight back and get the tie,” Masuk Coach Brendan Cavanaugh said. “I can definitely build upon this game to help get us moving in the right direction.”
The Panthers host Bassick of Bridgeport Monday, Sept. 9, and entertain Weston the next night — both at home at 7 p.m.
