In the long and storied Barrington career of coach Scott Steib, finishing under .500 in a season is as rare as seeing Sasquatch walk the halls of the high school.

The Broncos’ rich and illustrious history under Steib is something to marvel. 

In 26 seasons, the coach has recorded an extraordinary 411-148-58 overall record with countless tournament, sectional, regional and Mid-Suburban League titles to go along with lifting the 2007 AA state championship trophy in the last year of the two-class system, recording a 3A runnerup finish in 2016 and finishing third in 2002.

The Broncos manager has consistently produced a club that has shown a relentless appetite to get the job done to ensure a spot at or near the top of the table each and every season.

That desire hasn’t waned, but the Broncos have slipped a bit. They recorded a 2024 record of 6-8-6, one of only three sub-.500 campaigns for Steib (2009, 2023). The reason this season was a power outage on offense that cost the team additional positive results.

"While this season will not go down as one of our finest, we really did have much to be proud of," began the coach. "We talk about controlling the controllables a lot.

"One of those is effort, and our guys brought their full effort the entire season.

"Many of our best training sessions came during the last week or two of the season. That showed that the guys stayed focused and together throughout it all.

"We are all very proud of how there was never any division among the offensive and defensive units, despite our goal-scoring struggles."

In its 20 contests, Barrington bagged just 14 markers while conceding 21.

Things started brightly for the Broncos.

"We had such a great start to the season," said senior Pat Tabb, a three-year varsity veteran.

"We opened up with a 5-2-3 record in our first 10 games, which included winning our own tournament (the Barrington Classic) with an exciting championship win in a shootout over Boylan."

Boylan ranked 36th in the Chicagoland Soccer Final 50 postseason poll.

"(But) despite playing great defense -- like we did all season long, we went 0-4-2 in our next six games,” continued Tabb. “In the end, it was our inability to score goals that led to the record we ended with."

The Broncos were involved in seven one-goal games and posted a 3-4-0 mark.

"We only scored two goals in one of our games," Tabb added. “It wasn't for a lack of effort, but we just were not dangerous enough in the final third.

"On the bright side, we defended really well as a team all season long. I really believe the future is bright with the number of quality guys coming back."

Steib praised his senior.

"Pat has been a key member of our club for the last three years, playing primarily on the wing the last two seasons, but moved into the central midfield to cover so much ground with a great work-rate," he said.

"(His) ability to take people on, spin out of pressure and link-up play will be missed, so will his contribution as a great teammate and leader for us."

Should everyone return from his 2024 roster, Steib will have 12 back including several from his First 11.

"Overall, we were a young and inexperienced team with 14 first-year varsity players. Six were sophomores, five of whom could end up playing heavy minutes and key roles next season. So yes, we do feel good about our future," the coach said.

"After we won the (Barrington) Classic in pens against a very talented side from Boylan -- watching our guys celebrate was easily my favorite moment of the season.

"Every one of our guys had well-deserved and massive smiles on their faces, and I recall pausing to take in that moment. It gave me great joy to see them all so happy."

Junior defender Jack Ball (1,528 minutes played), sophomores Alex Liapis (1,385) and defender James Rollinson (1,325), and junior midfielder Magdiel Magadaleno (1,234) led the club in that category.

Magadaleno and team captain Ball were named all-league.  Ball earned Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association all-sectional honors and a spot on the Daily Herald All-Area First Team.

Senior midfielder Brian Mazgaj nabbed an IHSSCA All-Academic Award. Classmate Jack Bainbridge claimed an IHSSCA Sportsmanship Award. He also served as a back-up to sophomore Evan Ryder and junior Ethan Smith between the sticks.

Ryder and Smith each garnered nine starts. Ryder recorded 3.5 clean-sheets and posted a 1.02 goals-against average.

Smith finished with 3 clean-sheets and a team-best 0.92 goals against average.

As a team, Barrington earned the Mid-Suburban League West Division Sportsmanship Award.

"Our effort was always at 100 percent," said Liapis, an active and hard-working midfielder who handled the chores at the six for the Broncos.

"I never expected to play as much as I did, but after working up to the speed and physical play at the varsity level, I felt like I was able to give the team my best effort.

"I really enjoy playing for coach Steib. He insists on having a strong work-rate and work ethic, and that's the way I like to play."

"Alex emerged from summer as someone who could be a gritty, hard-working player for us," said Steib. “When we lost senior midfielder Cooper Kim to an ACL tear in preseason training, he was the first player we slid into the holding-mid role, and he never looked back from there.”

Liapis' older sister Coast, a Chicagoland Soccer All-State keeper, played a key role in the Fillies Class 3A fourth place season in 2021.

Both Tabb and Alex Liapis believe the Broncos will move up next season.

"(They) will have a lot of guys back with more experience,” said Tabb. “There will be two terrific keepers on the roster, and I really feel like one of our sophomores, Mitch Vitale is going to be a very good player."

"We are still going to be really strong along the back,” Liapis said. “Jack Ball is legit, and guys like Mitch (Vitale), Will Krause, James Rollinson and myself will have another year under our belt." 

The returnees will try to uphold the strong presence of the Class of 2025.

"The personalities and uniqueness of this senior class will be missed," said Steib.

"To watch Brian Mazgaj's big smile, Max Golich running all over, Pat Tabb just being Pat Tabb, 
we will miss the way Jack Bainbridge and Ryan Stadler each put the team over self every single day.

"We will also miss Cooper Kim's leadership, Nico Hausser's cool-as-the-underside-of-a-pillow swagger, and the way Derek Lodes just did his job so well.

"I told the guys at the end of the season that I wanted them to all know how deeply grateful I am for each of them.

"In a world where gratitude doesn't always seem to show up like it should, I could not be more thankful to lead this group.

"I am so grateful for the program we have: the players, coaches, parents, maintenance crew, administrative team -- just everyone.

"I feel blessed and fortunate to be a Bronco."