The Swope Park Rangers began their preseason with a win on Saturday afternoon, defeating Rockhurst University 2-0 in a friendly game held at Swope Soccer Village. Forward Hadji Barry – who had recently spent time in Sporting KC’s preseason camp in Arizona – scored in each half of the abbreviated 60-minute match.
Trialist Chase Minter was the first to go close, weaving his way through several challenges before bursting into the area and prodding an attempt on frame that the Rockhurst goalkeeper did well to block.
From the ensuing corner, the Rangers took the lead. Minter swung in a deep delivery toward the far post where Barry was waiting unmarked, and he made no mistake from close range to put the Rangers up 1-0 in the 12th minute.
The Rangers added to their lead eight minutes into the second 30-minute half, when a stray back pass presented another opportunity for Barry, allowing the forward to calmly cut inside his man before stroking the ball into the bottom corner to make the score 2-0.
Barry almost completed his hat trick in the 50th minute when he received the ball 30 yards from goal and dribbled at the Hawks’ defense but was unable to find the target from the edge of the area with his final effort.
The Rangers continue their preseason action next weekend when the side takes on fellow USL Western Conference outfit Tulsa Roughnecks FC at Swope Soccer Village, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. CT.
Swope Park Rangers vs. Rockhurst University
February 10, 2018 – Swope Soccer Village (Kansas City, Mo.)
Swope Park Rangers 2, Rockhurst University 0
Scoring Summary:
SPR – Hadji Barry (Chase Minter) 12’
SPR – Hadji Barry (Unassisted) 38’
Misconduct Summary:
None
Swope Park Rangers: Darrin MacLeod (Juan Pablo 31’); Will Little, Matt Lewis, Dakota Barnathan, Parker Maher (Wilfred Williams 43’); Matheus Silva, Rodrigo Saravia, Chase Minter; Blake Levine (Felipe de Souza 31’), Hadji Barry, Camilo Benitez.
