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Barrera's early goal gives Fusion the spark it needs
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More from SoccerThe breakout game in front of goal for which the Ventura County Fusion had been waiting all season arrived Friday night in Lancaster.
It was sparked by one of the youngest players on the team.
Recent Westlake High graduate Danny Barrera's pretty 25th-minute goal sparked a three-goal first-half haul as the Fusion skinned the host Lancaster Rattlers, 4-0, Saturday night at Knight High to move into playoff position.
Strikers Artur Aghasyan and Lee Stevens added a goal and an assist apiece in the first 36 minutes and Hagop Chirishian added a late tally as the Fusion hit the four-goal mark for just the second time this season.
"It was a bit of a breakout game," said Fusion assistant coach Ole Mikkelsen. "It was about time.
The result moves the Fusion (7-3-3) into second place in the Southwest Division, two points clear of the Los Angeles Legends, with three matches remaining in the Premier Development League season.
The Fusion is 7-1-1 in its last nine matches and sits just two points away from first-place Fresno.
In fact, if the Fuego fail to beat San Fernando Valley tonight and the Fusion defeats Orange County on Sunday at Buena High, Ventura County will enter the final week of the season atop the division.
It's in that position partly because of a moment of brilliance from a 18-year-old attacker making his first Fusion start.
An on-rushing Barrera received a pass from Stevens in the penalty area and sweetly lifted the ball over the Lancaster keeper.
"It was one of the prettiest goals of the season," said Mikkelsen. "It kind of opened things up for us.
"It looked like the guys started thinking, Hey, it's gonna go in for us.' "
The back line, which has kept the Fusion afloat for much of the season, held firm once again. Fusion goalkeeper Logan Frank kept his sixth shutout of the season.
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