The varsity soccer team has endured a challenging but promising start to the season, beginning their season playing against four Class A teams. After two heavy defeats against Bridgton Academy and Phillips Andover Academy to begin their official season, conceding nine goals and scoring zero along the way, much change was needed. The unexpected 0-2 start to the season prompted coach Montoya to change the player personnel in the back and midfield.
With these changes, the team’s two most recent games have shown remarkable improvement. A 1-1 tie away at Phillips Exeter Academy and a very strong performance in a 1-0 loss to BB&N under the lights have given the team a growing confidence. Coach Montoya believes that the coaches have found a good back-four line and a solid midfield line capable of controlling the midfield. The team will continue to play the new 4-4-2 formation with two center midfielders.
Coach Montoya commented on the plans for the team moving forward: “The key will be to stay healthy. I feel good about how the team is playing and, in the last two games, the boys have played with great intensity.”
With a squad similar to last year, and the Costa Rica trip, which Coach Montoya hopes will pay off later in the season, the team is well positioned to recover from their early struggles and reach their goals under the leadership of senior captains Max Carboni ’23 and Will Lloyd ’23, and coaches Montoya, Holland, Bracken, and Vasiliadis.
The Panel wishes good luck to the varsity soccer team in their aim to make the New England tournament and finish in the top three in the ISL.
