Long Beach Poly, Millikan and Wilson all won via shutout yesterday to set up a pair of games on Friday between the top four teams in the Moore League.
Long Beach Poly 3, Cabrillo 0
Junior Kenny Barnabee’s brace was more than enough for the Jackrabbits (9-2-2, 2-0) on the road Wednesday afternoon. The strong forward scored in the 4th and 57th minute following a pair of important saves by Poly goalkeepers Griffin Welch and Matthew McCoy. WATCH VIDEO
McCoy came in off the bench to stop a set piece after Welch was called for a handball outside the 18-yard box. McCoy then immediately assisted on the buildup to Barnabee’s first goal.
After McCoy got a yellow card late in the first half, Welch came in off the bench to stop the resulting penalty kick. He also made a diving save in the 50th minute.
“That save was more impressive than the PK save,” Poly coach Eric Leon said. “(Cabrillo captain Eduardo Mosqueda) made a great individual play cutting back inside and taking the best shot he could take. But (Welch’s) extension is unbelievable.”
Seven minutes later, Barnabee doubled the lead with a powerful shot in the box after a deft deflection from teammate Nate Goodman.
“They couldn’t stop him and he’s coming off of a high ankle sprain,” Leon said of Barnabee. “He’s a bulldog up top and a lot of teams are going to have a hard time dealing with that kid.”
It was Goodman to cap the scoring in the 60th minute. Poly outshot Cabrillo 11-5 while Welch and McCoy combined for four saves.
“It was a team effort and we all work well together,” Barnabee said. “We practice this, we expect to dominate and we did that today. We have good players. It’s about putting the pieces together and coach has done a great job. Now we’re just focused on winning this league championship.”
Millikan 2, Lakewood 0
Gibson Channel provided both assists for the Millikan goals from Christian Palacio and Edgar Hernandez. The Rams (15-1-2, 2-0-1) and goalkeeper Matthew Sutfin have won 12 games via shutout this season.
Wilson 3, Compton
Anthony Garcia, Ryan Lleroux and Andres Mota all scored for the Bruins (5-4-2, 1-0-1) at home.
FRIDAY SCHEDULE
Wilson at Long Beach Poly, 3 p.m.
Lakewood at Jordan, 6 p.m.
Millikan vs. Cabrillo at Veterans Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.
