Boys Soccer

The varsity boys soccer team’s season began with a tough test in the form of a home game against St. John’s. Despite playing a more competitive game than the 3-0 final score would indicate, the Tigers struggled to gain any traction offensively and seemed to be overwhelmed by the smothering defense of the Cadets. While the team was eager to avenge their loss, scheduling miscommunications and other issues led to the Tiger’s next two games being canceled. 

The Tigers were able to bounce back with impressive home victories against Maret and Cardozo. Their momentum was stomped out, however, as after a questionable penalty led to an equalizer on a penalty kick, the Tigers lost control and fell to DCI 4-1. 

Girls Soccer

With a new coaching staff, the varsity girls soccer team faced an uphill battle to start the season. But, the Tigers won more than they lost in their first several games, including a dominating 4-1 victory against National Cathedral School (NCS). 

Tough losses against Sidwell and St. John’s slowed the team’s momentum, but they are expecting a boost when senior right back Are’wynn Black returns from a knee injury. Issues with the coaching staff have required parents Marek Gootman and Kevin Hayes to step up and handle coaching duties, adding another tricky dynamic for the Tigers. 

According to senior Amanda Mchugh, the team’s goal remains “to win states this year and represent Wilson athletics.”

Football 

The Tigers’ start to the season has been extremely disappointing, to say the least. Three straight losses to begin the season have obliterated hopes for a strong start. 

A week one 43-17 loss against Yorktown immediately raised concerns for the Tigers, and despite a strong defensive showing the next week against Bell, the Tigers still fell 12-7. 

While there were positives to take away from that game, such as a pick six by senior defensive back Armani Johnson, the same cannot be said for the following week’s embarrassing 43-0 loss to Archbishop Carroll. The Tigers currently have a -74 point differential, and will need to make vast improvements fast as DCIAA conference play is set to begin.

Field Hockey 

The Field Hockey season has gotten off to a rocky start. The team opened the season with a 7-0 defeat against Sidwell, and then struggled during a subsequent tournament, winning just one game against Walls. The Tigers bounced back against Walls again, with a 3-0 home victory highlighted by two goals by senior left midfielder Martina Sanchez-Gonzalez. The Tigers looked to build momentum the following week during their next game, at home versus Brookewood. It was a tight game throughout, with goals by Martina Sanchez-Gonzalez and junior Rigby Zentner keeping the Tigers in the game. After an hour of back and forth action, the score sat tied at 2-2, necessitating overtime. It was once again Sanchez-Gonzalez scoring the game winning goal, her second of the game, to give the Tigers the victory. After two straight wins, optimism for the rest of the season is cautiously returning. 

Volleyball

The Wilson volleyball team has had an absolutely exceptional start to the year. The Tigers have posted a perfect 5-0 record to start the season, with a 3-0 record in DCIAA conference play. With dominating wins over schools such as Maret, Roosevelt, and Ballou, the Tigers have faced little resistance thus far. 

Energy has been one of the biggest keys to the Tigers’ early success, with team members crediting it for propelling them to such dominating victories. Team chemistry was also named as another driving force to their sensational start, along with particularly impressive performances coming from sophomore Summer Campbell and junior Gillian Gessert. 

If the Tigers maintain the technical expertise and grit they’ve displayed thus far through the rest of the long season, a league championship title is a realistic and achievable goal.