Barnathan's goal gives Massapequa 1-0 win
Massapequa High School #6 Dakota Barnathan, left, kicks a ball away from Farmingdale #1 Austin Wertheimer in the second half. (Oct. 7, 2010) Credit: James Escher
Dakota Barnathan is very dangerous in open space.
Barnathan got the ball just over a minute into yesterday's game with rival Farmingdale and with one Dalers defender between him and the goalkeeper Massapequa coach Keith Stanley was confident his junior forward would deliver.
"As soon as I saw Dakota in space in front of one guy to beat I had a pretty good feeling he was going to put it away," Stanley said.
Barnathan did deliver, scoring his team-leading sixth goal in the second minute of the game.
"I turned to receive the ball, decided to take on the first guy and realizing, taking on the first guy I had all the space in the world, I took it and placed it in the near corner for the goal," Barnathan said.
Barnathan's goal proved to be all the Chiefs (6-0-1) needed as they defeated the Dalers (1-1-3), 1-0, in Nassau Conference I.
Massapequa had a few opportunities in the first half but did not register another shot on goal before halftime. Stanley said his team appeared complacent after taking the early lead.
"We need to be more composed after we score and get back to our game," Stanley said. "Sometimes we lose our shape and we're content with the first goal.
"I'm pleased, a 1-0 win is great. I just feel like we need to make better choices throughout the game as a team and as individuals if we're going to win more big games later on in the playoffs and go as far as I think this team can go."
Farmingdale did not pressure Massapequa in the first half, registering just one shot on goal, but Stanley knew the Chiefs would have to stand up to a second half push from the Dalers.
"I told my team at halftime 'Good teams don't lose 1-0 so you've got to find a way to keep it out of the net,' '' Stanley said.
The Chiefs did exactly that, thanks to strong play on defense and four saves by goalkeeper Sean Brailey, who notched his fifth shutout of the season.
Massapequa sits atop the Conference I standings and plays a non-league game today at nationally-ranked St. Anthony's. Stanley is looking forward to what he hopes is a good, competitive game against the Friars.
"Friday night under the lights - it should be fun," he said. "And I'm looking to win."
