The Swope Park Rangers (12-9-7, 6th place) earned their third straight win and second straight home win tonight at Children’s Mercy Park when they defeated OKC Energy FC (10-13-5, 35 points, 10th place) by a 1-0 scoreline. Hadji Barry scored the loan goal for the Rangers, making it a four-game scoring streak for the 25-year-old, and Adrian Zendejas recorded four saves in the shutout.
In the second minute, OKC Energy FC would have their first chance of the match, but Christian Volesky’s shot would just miss to the right of the post. In the fourth minute, Sporting KC loanee, and captain on the night, Amer Didic would take a long shot from more than 35 yards out, but it would ping off the crossbar.
Bryam Rebellon would send a ball toward the goal in the fifth minute, but OKC goaltender Cody Laurendi would be there to make a diving save. Tyler Blackwood would attempt to send the rebound into the net, but was unable to capitalize.
OKC would have another opportunity in the 19th minute, but Volesky would again send it wide of the post. Rebellon would have an empty-net opportunity, but would miss to the right of the goal in the 21st minute.
Barry would take a ball from Justin Bilyeu and would send it into the net, scoring in the 26th minute to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead with his team-leading 12th goal of the season.
In the 35th minute, Blackwood would send a ball toward the goal, but an OKC defender would make the block. Barry would get the rebound and send it toward the goal, but it would sail over the crossbar.
In the 45th minute, Sporting KC Academy product Felipe Hernandez would send a cross following a corner to the center of the box. Didic would be able to get a head on it, but it would sail over the crossbar.
In the 69th minute, Zendejas would make a nice diving save to keep the Rangers with the 1-0 lead. In the 80th minute, Zendejas would make another spectacular save by stretching out and knocking the ball over the crossbar.
The Rangers would end the evening with a 1-0 victory over OKC Energy FC, snapping the Energy’s four-game win streak. SPR will remain home for their next three matches. Their next match will be Sunday, September 9 at 4:00 p.m. CT when they take on Fresno FC at Children’s Mercy Park.
Memorable Moment
Hadji Barry has scored in his last four starts and tonight's goal brings his season total to 12, a new career record for the forward. The 25-year-old is now chasing SPR’s single-season goals scored record, currently held by Kharlton Belmar with 14 goals last year.
Swope Park Rangers vs OKC Energy FC
September 2, 2018 – Children’s Mercy Park
Swope Park Rangers 1, OKC Energy FC 0
Scoring Summary:
SPR – Hadji Barry 12 (Justin Bilyeu 1) – 26’
Misconduct Summary:
OKC – Jose Barril (Yellow Card) – 61’
OKC – Hugh Alexander Dixon (Yellow Card) – 84’
SPR – Adrian Zendejas (Yellow Card) – 90’+2’
OKC – Adam Jahn (Yellow Card) - 90’+5’
Swope Park Rangers: Adrian Zendejas; Graham Smith, Justin Bilyeu (Parker Maher 56’), Colton Storm, Amer Didic ©; Felipe Hernandez (Chase Minter 71’), Wan Kuzain, Rassambek Akhmatov (Matheus Silva 88’); Bryam Rebellon, Tyler Blackwood, Hadji Barry
