The boys soccer team is shooting for another run at states this year despite the loss of many key seniors. Last year the team finished the season 9-8-1, losing to Kirtland in the district finals.

No doubt they’re looking to return to the district final this year and finish the fight.

On Tuesday, Sept. 12 they experienced a taste of what that victory might feel like, defeating Kirtland 1-0 in a regular season game.

“It was a big game because we were tied first in our league,” Captain Spencer Shroge said.

“It was a feeling of redemption because of [the loss in last year’s district finals], so beating them in regular season was a confidence boost,” he added.

The game was tied 0-0 until the second half. According to Shroge, both sides had a lot of chances on goal, but failed to convert.

With about ten minutes left, one of the Kirtland defenders attempted to head the ball to his own goalie, but due to a miscommunication, he scored on his own goal.

“He seemed pretty upset,” Shroge said.

Shroge believes that they are likely to face Kirtland again in the district finals.

The team is 4-3-1 so far this season with no losses in the CVC.

Sophomore Seth Rosky leads the team in goals.

“I’ve been working hard in the off-season on a travel team,” Rosky said.

After last year’s strong season, the team lost members of the class of 2017 such as Shai Yulish and Asaf Roth, but the team still holds on with a strong senior class led by Akiva Schiowitz, Kevin Zhang and Jack Berkowitz.

The soccer team has smaller size than most of the teams they play, but with smaller size comes more speed. The team is able to use their speed to bypass defenders for easy goals. It is quite the impressive feat to watch in real time.

“Against Cardinal, we scored five or six goals because their defense was slow,” Rosky said.

Another skill that the Bison have that puts them above their opponents is their soccer IQ. By having a strong sense of where teammates are going to be on the field, players can make smart passes and, because of this, they are able to keep possession of the ball longer.

Shroge has a particularly strong soccer IQ, according to Rosky.

The soccer team hopes to keep up its recent success going as they still have a long season and their main goal is going back to the playoffs.  

Shroge has high hopes for the season.

“We hope to give back to the team and the program as a whole, that is and always will be the ultimate goal for the team,” he said.