Expectations are high as the Bison boys soccer team prepares for their first playoff game Wednesday night at home against St. Martin de Porres.

The team posted a phenomenal 14-1-2 record this season (5-0 in CVC).

Co-Captain Grant Keilin broke two all-time career records on Sept. 24 during the game against Independence. 

The team advanced to the Regional Finals last  year, where they lost to Andrews Osborne Academy. 

They will face tougher competition as they moved up to Div. IV.

“With all the other schools, we are a little underdog, but our boys will be ready,” Coach Brian Greene wrote in an email.

Senior Jaycob Zabell is optimistic. 

“Everyone gets along better, and we’re all close while still holding each other accountable,” he said.

This season has been full of victories for the Bison, but one game stands out to Keilin. The heated matchup against Notre Dame Cathedral Latin ended in a 3-3 tie. 

“I think our tie against NDCL lit a fire under us,” Keilin said. “Nobody liked the feeling of tying them so we have really turned it on since then, but we have to keep turning up the dial to keep going.” 

The game was followed by an eight-game winning streak, but the team picked up their first loss in the last regular-season game against Twinsburg on Oct.10. 

The Bison came out aggressive, bringing the score to 2-0 going into the second half. Unfortunately, Twinsburg battled back in the second half, resulting in a disappointing 2-3 loss for the Bison–their only loss this season.

The squad is determined to utilize the setback as motivation for their playoff push. 

“As much as we shouldn’t have lost last night, I think we can use the loss as a lesson on how to close the game out better,” Keilin said the day after the game. “We need to be more consistent through till the end of the game.”

“Nobody liked the feeling we felt during the loss,” he added. “I think that feeling will motivate us during playoffs.” 

The whole team is prepared for the increased pressure of playoffs in a higher division.

“We just have to prepare for playoff games with more intensity,” he added. “We know the atmosphere will be different, so we have to be prepared to play with high intensity and be ready to work hard.” 

In spite of the tough competition, Keilin is confident about the team’s prospects this year.

“I think our first goal is to make it to state play but also to win a state championship,” Keilin said.