With a record of 1-7-1 last year, the junior varsity boys’ soccer team was motivated to come into the fall season strong. They didn’t disappoint. Returning sophomores and co-captains Noah Friedman and Toby Subiela are holding their team to high standards this season, and are driven to improve from the previous year.

The struggle for the team last year was finding the back of the net, partially due to external factors and a change in management. “Last year was a learning experience for me as a coach [in] a new program, and for the players as well, coming back from unprecedented circumstances caused by the pandemic,” head coach Evan Hoppman said.

Hoppman and the boys seem to have fully adjusted this year. “This season, we had a large number of returning players and many talented freshman players added to the squad,” and “from the first day of pre-season it was clear that there was a clear identity and togetherness in this team that we didn’t have last season,” Hoppman said. Their first two results have shown just that.

The boys kicked off the season with their 5-0 victory against Rockville on Sept. 6, where Friedman put a whopping four goals in the back of net. “It was a great start to the season with a team win. I’m glad that I could contribute and put several in the net,” Friedman said. 

Considering the team lost to Rockville last year, this early win was huge in setting the tempo for the rest of the season.

After their game against Quince Orchard was postponed on Sept. 12 due to inclement weather, the team’s home opener was against Watkins Mill on Sept. l5, where they won 3-0. Friedman scored twice and he has no intention of stopping. “I think the season is going to go very well, the team is very energetic,” Subiela said. 

The team then faced Northwest on Sept. 20 and won 5-0. Friedman scored twice, bringing his season total to eight goals after three games. 

The team’s next game is on Tuesday, Sept. 27 vs. Whitman, where they are “hungry to win” and keep their perfect record at 4-0, Friedman said. The next home game is on Sept. 29 against Walter Johnson. JV kickoff is at 5:30 and varsity at 7:15. Buy your tickets on the GoFan app or bring $5 to the door. 

The boys are excited for the rest of this season and are ready to show what they  can do in the coming years as they become upperclassmen.