After a 3-0 start to the season, a goal differential of +13 and not allowing a single goal, the boys’ junior varsity soccer team looked unbeatable, especially due to sophomore Noah Friedman, responsible for eight of the team’s 13 goals. Various injuries and tough opponents lead to a substantial drop-off in the second half of the season.

The team’s first mishap was in a defensive battle against Whitman. Despite many chances and a breakaway chance late in the game, “neither team was able to find the back of the net,” Friedman said.

Sophomore goalkeeper Josh Good sacrificed his body in the final minutes of the game to keep his clean sheet by charging out and tackling the Whitman striker, earning himself a red card and deeming him ineligible for the next game. It was the rare smart red card. “Without Good’s bravery, it would have been a definite loss,” sophomore Kian Kaz said.

The next match was at home against Walter Johnson, which resulted in a 2-1 loss, kicking off the team’s losing streak. Despite sustained possession, sophomore center back Max Podlesny was the only Patriot able to score.

The team then traveled to Churchill for a fierce rivalry game, where they suffered from a controversial call that may have cost them the game. After sophomore Toby Subiela slotted a well-crafted pass to Friedman, splitting the defense and giving him a one-on-one with the Churchill goalkeeper, the linesman waved his flag to call the play offside. Players were furious. “[The play] was definitely not offside,” Kaz said, who was right next to the action.

The Bulldogs ended up victorious, 1-0.

After a great performance at a joint JV-varsity practice, Friedman was pulled up to varsity, leaving JV without their top goal-scorer. “Although I had some great times on JV, it’s awesome to get playing time and have a chance to prove myself [on varsity]” Friedman said.

The team then traveled to BCC where they lost 2-1. BCC’s game winner came off an unfortunate defensive error by the back line. Not being able to get the ball off their feet quick enough, Wootton lost the ball, giving BCC a clear breakaway chance.

Due to a canceled game earlier in the season from inclement weather, the only available time to reschedule the home game vs. Quince Orchard was the day before the game against Richard Montgomery. QO appeared strong, scoring twice off of headers and once off a free kick, causing a decisive 3-1 loss.. “They were super physical and hungry to score,” Kaz said.
In the final game, JV faced Richard Montgomery, and after five winless games, they had their mind set on winning. It was another frustrating game where their quality of soccer did not equate to a win. “[RM] wasn’t better than us but we could not pull through,” Kaz said, after a 2-1 loss.

Although the season ended with five consecutive losses and a record of 3-5-1, the boys were still satisfied with the season as a whole. “We battled some tough teams near the end of the season, unlucky that we couldn’t pull off the wins but I’m looking forward to next season,” freshman Aadi Chaudhari said.