Barry's Record-Breaking Goal Leads Big Colorado Springs Switchbacks Win at Weidner Field

Hadji Barry's record-breaking goal started a four goal night for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in a 4-2 win over Hartford Athletic at Weidner Field.

Barry got the party started from the penalty spot in the 19th minute after Philip Mayaka was tripped in the box. Barry placed his penalty to the bottom right corner of the goal for his 15th goal of the season, setting a new record for goals in a single season by a Switchbacks player. Tonight's game marked the halfway point of the 2021 season for the Switchbacks.

Hartford equalized from a Conor McGlynn volley into the bottom right corner in the 24th minute.

The hosts would restore their lead before halftime from a corner kick as Sebastian Anderson served a ball to the top of the six-yard box and Michee Ngalina rose up to send a powerful header off the fingertips of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

The Switchbacks added to their lead six minutes into the second half when Anderson played a long pass to Deshane Beckford who cut the ball back to Andre Lewis for a simple finish for the Jamaican's first goal of the season. Hartford got a goal back in the 58th minute when a cleared cross fell to Samuel Armah Ashitey who took a touch before unleashing a shot from 25 yards out into the top left corner of the goal.

However, Lewis quickly added a second goal when Barry played a pass to Ngalina on the top of the penalty area who laid the ball off for Lewis to pick his spot and smash his shot just inside the post at the bottom left corner of the goal to seal the Switchbacks' victory at Weidner Field.

The Switchbacks are on the road for their next three matches: Memphis 901 FC on August 10, Rio Grande Valley FC on August 14, and Charlotte Independence on August 21.

The Switchbacks are back at Weidner Field on August 28 to face Austin Bold FC with gates opening at 6pm for a 7pm kick off. The game is presented by Pikes Peak National Bank for Bucket Hat Night, with the first 500 fans in the gates receiving a free bucket hat. Tickets are available HERE.

Hadji Barry’s record-breaking goal started a four goal night for the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC in a 4-2 win over Hartford Athletic at Weidner Field.

Barry got the party started from the penalty spot in the 19th minute after Philip Mayaka was tripped in the box. Barry placed his penalty to the bottom right corner of the goal for his 15th goal of the season, setting a new record for goals in a single season by a Switchbacks player. Tonight’s game marked the halfway point of the 2021 season for the Switchbacks.

Hartford equalized from a Conor McGlynn volley into the bottom right corner in the 24th minute.

The hosts would restore their lead before halftime from a corner kick as Sebastian Anderson served a ball to the top of the six-yard box and Michee Ngalina rose up to send a powerful header off the fingertips of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

The Switchbacks added to their lead six minutes into the second half when Anderson played a long pass to Deshane Beckford who cut the ball back to Andre Lewis for a simple finish for the Jamaican’s first goal of the season. Hartford got a goal back in the 58th minute when a cleared cross fell to Samuel Armah Ashitey who took a touch before unleashing a shot from 25 yards out into the top left corner of the goal.

However, Lewis quickly added a second goal when Barry played a pass to Ngalina on the top of the penalty area who laid the ball off for Lewis to pick his spot and smash his shot just inside the post at the bottom left corner of the goal to seal the Switchbacks’ victory at Weidner Field.

The Switchbacks are on the road for their next three matches: Memphis 901 FC on August 10, Rio Grande Valley FC on August 14, and Charlotte Independence on August 21.

The Switchbacks are back at Weidner Field on August 28 to face Austin Bold FC with gates opening at 6pm for a 7pm kick off. The game is presented by Pikes Peak National Bank for Bucket Hat Night, with the first 500 fans in the gates receiving a free bucket hat. Tickets are available HERE.

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Brendan Burke – Head Coach Overall thoughts on the game:  "Happy. You have to be happy when you score four goals at home, you're probably not going to lose. We were a little loose defensively at times but I thought collectively we defended well. Their second goal was fantastic so you just have to tip your hat when something like that happens, but in general creating enough chances to score 7 or 8 goals in a game, legitimately I think is fantastic. It’s a really entertaining brand of soccer, it’s a little heart stopping at times, but hopefully everyone goes home happy." On Hadji Barry breaking a franchise record for goals in a single season: "He's just incredible. He's the best player in the league right now, and he's an even better guy." Michee Ngalina: On getting a goal and an assist in tonight's home game: "You know it was not easy. I think Hartford, they have a good group and it was not easy, but we try our best to stay on top of everything. I just was able to get the chance and I finished it in the back of the net."   On Andre Lewis getting two goals tonight: "You know Andre, I've had a deep conversation with him. He told me he's been through a lot from last season, and I was just always advising him to keep his head up and keep working, and today he scored two and I gave him one assist. You know it's just the hard work, and he keeps pushing every single day in training and that’s why he had a good result tonight." Andre Lewis: On making man of the match and lifting the team to a home win: "It means a lot. It's my first accomplishment for the team since last year and that’s something I'm grateful for, but I couldn't do it without my teammates and I give them the praise and I give them thanks for that."  On beating a tough Eastern team and moving forward from there: "It's great. We need to stay up there with the playoff teams, we are a great team and we've shown that since the season started. We are grateful to be here, we need a spot where we can get a home game in playoffs for our fans and that’s the goal. We're giving it everything, and winning at home is always good, so we'll take and it and hopefully the next one when we go on the road we'll go for it and then come back home and do the same job."

Brendan Burke – Head Coach Overall thoughts on the game:  “Happy. You have to be happy when you score four goals at home, you’re probably not going to lose. We were a little loose defensively at times but I thought collectively we defended well. Their second goal was fantastic so you just have to tip your hat when something like that happens, but in general creating enough chances to score 7 or 8 goals in a game, legitimately I think is fantastic. It’s a really entertaining brand of soccer, it’s a little heart stopping at times, but hopefully everyone goes home happy.” On Hadji Barry breaking a franchise record for goals in a single season: “He’s just incredible. He’s the best player in the league right now, and he’s an even better guy.” Michee Ngalina: On getting a goal and an assist in tonight’s home game: “You know it was not easy. I think Hartford, they have a good group and it was not easy, but we try our best to stay on top of everything. I just was able to get the chance and I finished it in the back of the net.”   On Andre Lewis getting two goals tonight: “You know Andre, I’ve had a deep conversation with him. He told me he’s been through a lot from last season, and I was just always advising him to keep his head up and keep working, and today he scored two and I gave him one assist. You know it’s just the hard work, and he keeps pushing every single day in training and that’s why he had a good result tonight.” Andre Lewis: On making man of the match and lifting the team to a home win: “It means a lot. It’s my first accomplishment for the team since last year and that’s something I’m grateful for, but I couldn’t do it without my teammates and I give them the praise and I give them thanks for that.”  On beating a tough Eastern team and moving forward from there: “It’s great. We need to stay up there with the playoff teams, we are a great team and we’ve shown that since the season started. We are grateful to be here, we need a spot where we can get a home game in playoffs for our fans and that’s the goal. We’re giving it everything, and winning at home is always good, so we’ll take and it and hopefully the next one when we go on the road we’ll go for it and then come back home and do the same job.”

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• Man of the Match// Andre Lewis
• Scoring Summary// COS: Barry (19' – PK), Ngalina (38'), Lewis (51'), Lewis (63')  | HFD: McGlynn (24'), Ashitey (58')
• Saves// COS: Melvin (4) | HFD: Caldwell (4)
• Discipline// COS: YC: Hodge (33'), Makangila (65'), Mayaka (70'), Lewis (89') | HFD: YC: Yacoubou (18'), Martinez (90+4')

• Man of the Match// Andre Lewis
• Scoring Summary// COS: Barry (19′ – PK), Ngalina (38′), Lewis (51′), Lewis (63′)  | HFD: McGlynn (24′), Ashitey (58′)
• Saves// COS: Melvin (4) | HFD: Caldwell (4)
• Discipline// COS: YC: Hodge (33′), Makangila (65′), Mayaka (70′), Lewis (89′) | HFD: YC: Yacoubou (18′), Martinez (90+4′)