At the start of the season, the boys varsity soccer team faced setbacks on the basis of defeats and underperformed. Now, they’ve bounced back. A recent win over Sidwell Friends has given the team the drive and energy needed for the strong rest of their season.
To open their season, the team sustained a conference forfeit from Roosevelt, which stumped the rythmn Tigers were looking to build. Instead of finding an early stride, the team’s first game was a daunting challenge against St. John’s College High School, where they lost, 3-0.
After losing 12 seniors from last year’s roster, the team had to learn how to play together as a cohesive unit and balance the gap between DCIAA competition and nonconference private schools.
“I feel like even though we have not had as great of a start to the season as we hoped, we have noticed the mentality of winning improving as games go on,” said senior captain and defender Max Fotter. “Practices have become a lot sharper and the overall desire to win is there even with these early tough losses.”
The team had a wakeup call in their first set of games, where they lost to both DC International and St. Albans within one week. On September 16, the boys played Coolidge. They beat the Colts last season in the DCIAA semifinal, 1-0. This year, in front of a home crowd, the team fell 2-0— their first DCIAA loss since 2021 and first regular season conference loss since 2019.
“A key thing that we’ve learned as a team is to not underestimate any opponent we go up against,” said senior midfielder Luther Sand. He added that “the team has learned to adapt to the different levels and playing styles of [their] opponents.”
The team turned around their season with a handful of games left. Their record stood at 9-4 on October 9, with a five-game streak.
The victory over Sidwell wasn’t only a statement: it was a validating win. The team proved to themselves that they are still capable of contending for championships, despite early doubt. “It showed us as a team and everyone in the area that we are a team that can compete with the best,” asserted senior captain and for ward Quinn McInerney. “It showed perseverance and commitment. It was a turning point. We will keep working just as hard and we won’t slow down,” he said.
The team’s win over the Quakers was a call to continue bonding with one another. “It is very obvious the amount of important [players] our program lost due to many seniors that have now graduated. With some of these tough losses, [the adversity] has brought us closer together” said Fotter. “Picking each other up, moving on to the next game, and practices where we can improve our performance level and increase our overall chemistry” are key points the team has honed in on.
With adversity to begin the season, the Tigers look to carry the lessons learned into postseason play. Left in the regular season is senior night against Bell on October 16 and then the Washington International School to close out the season.
“The start of the season didn’t turn out how we would’ve hoped,” said Sand. “We’re consistently building chemistry as a team, on and off the field, which will help us succeed and defend our title as DCIAA champions.” •