Just a season ago, Conrad Weiser let a shot at the Berks County title slip away, falling to Muhlenberg in a semifinal upset.
The Scouts bounced back to win the District 3 Class 3A championship, helping to ease the pain of missing out on their first county title in 17 years, a drought that dates back to 2007, when head coach Derek Long last led them to victory.
But this season, a senior class led by Abu Barrie and Owen Hunt, were determined to bring home a BCIAA title. That dream became a reality on Thursday night in Shillington.
Top-seeded Conrad Weiser edged second-seeded Wilson 2-1 in double overtime, with Barrie scoring the game-winner in the BCIAA boys soccer championship at Gov. Mifflin High School.
Conrad Weiser’s Abu Barrie shoots and scores the game-winning goal in the second overtime against Wilson in a 2-1 victory over the Bulldogs in the BCIAA Boys’ Soccer final at Gov. Mifflin High School in Shillington on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. . Barrie scored both of the Scouts’ goals. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
“Kind of at a loss for words,” Long said, still processing the win. “Just so proud, because this championship title has kind of been staying away from us. We’ve been close, but have missed. I was talking to some of these seniors who said, ‘Hey, you got one more year here.’ And they bought in. To see the effort and the connectedness that they play with is why we won tonight.”
Thursday night’s championship had everything a soccer fan could ask for, fantastic goals, to a chippy battle, back-and-forth mental games, and jaw-dropping saves. The thriller stretched over 100 minutes into double overtime, featuring the top two teams in Berks County.
Both teams were searching for a bit of luck as the seconds ticked away, first through one 15-minute overtime period, then into a second.
It felt like the match was destined for a sudden-death penalty shootout, until it happened.
With 4:13 left on the clock, the undefeated Scouts (20-0-1) pushed back into Bulldogs’ territory (14-7), and Barrie struck gold.
The senior scored the goal that ended an 18-year county title drought for the Scouts, a milestone he had set for himself before the season began.
Conrad Weiser’s Abu Barrie celebrates following his game-winning goal in the second overtime against Wilson in a 2-1 victory over the Bulldogs in the BCIAA Boys’ Soccer final at Gov. Mifflin High School in Shillington on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. Barrie scored both of the Scouts’ goals. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
“That’s the cherry on top for him,” Long said of Barrie’s goal. “When he came back this year, he goes, ‘Coach, I want to win. I want to win the county.’ Everything that he did in the offseason put him a step above everybody. He’s incredible.”
Barrie immediately sprinted at full speed, still somehow full on energy after more than 100 minutes of intense soccer, toward the student section on the left side of the Gov. Mifflin stands to celebrate with the fans.
He then threw his jersey to his classmates.
“The fans have been most supportive fans ever. So that’s why, when I scored the winning goal, I ran to them and gave them my jersey,” Barrie said. “They’ve been great the whole season, and for the past two years. For me to be able to score the game-winner tonight. I feel proud, and I didn’t do it by myself. That’s what we wanted, and I’m so happy to help my team win the county this year.”
Barrie injured his foot during his sophomore year, which sidelined him for a time, but he bounced back with a fantastic junior season, earning All-Division honors. In his senior year, he was determined to end the Scouts’ title drought, and he did just that.
Conrad Weiser celebrates its double-overtime victory over the Wilson Bulldogs in the BCIAA Boys’ Soccer final at Gov. Mifflin High School in Shillington on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
In their only meeting earlier this season, the Scouts secured a 1-0 victory over Wilson thanks to Barrie’s lone goal.
The Bulldogs came out and showed the same competitiveness in the championship game, hoping to come out on top this time.
The game was physical from start to finish, with players hitting the turf every 30 seconds or so. That physicality set the tone for the entire match.
Neither team could find the back of the net early on.
It wasn’t until 12 minutes into the second half that the deadlock was broken, as Bulldogs’ Ryan Crouse scored off an assist from Hunter Johansmeyer to give his team the first lead of the game.
The Scouts had plenty of time, but being down in a game where they struggled to find the net was definitely concerning.
Still, Long’s squad didn’t panic, they just worked even harder.
“They are relentless when it comes to work rate,” Long said as his two young kids ran up to congratulate him. “We talked about the things that take no talent, staying engaged, covering for each other, and they bought in. The way that they play, one person might get beat, and then you got nine others that you have to get through.”
Six minutes later, Barrie scored his first goal of the game to tie it up.
The teams battled back and forth, with shots hitting the top and side posts and multiple saves keeping the game alive.
“The people I believe in most on this team is our defense and goalie,” Barrie said crediting his teammates. “Parker (Centeno), Sam (Harry), and Dan (Heil) have been contributing great to this team. I know with them back there, we’re safe, nothing is going to happen.”
Conrad Weiser is the BCIAA Boys’ Soccer champions. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Originally Published: October 17, 2025 at 4:25 AM EDT