Varsity boys’ soccer came into the season with high expectations after an undefeated regular season last year. The team returned a large senior class with multiple collegiate level players.

The preseason started off rough when senior goalkeeper and team captain Matthew Kopsidas tore his ACL, missing the remainder of the season. The team went on to win every preseason game, with a record of 3-0.

On Sept.10, BBQ Club had its first ever soccer tailgate. It was different than football tailgates because the poms, cheer and football teams were able to attend their first tailgate ever. “As a grillmaster I wanted to help increase the student attendance at sport games. Thankfully Booster Club is letting us grill for soccer games,” senior Ben Bloch said.

After an hour of grilling, the game kicked off versus the Westminster Owls. It didn’t take long before the Patriots scored. Five minutes in senior midfielder Alek Wrobleski scored the first goal of the season. Soon after he scored a second goal. “I wanted to set the tone early,” Wrobleski said.

Shortly after the Owls drew a penalty kick. They scored to make it 2-1. The boys wanted to put in another goal before half. Senior striker Andy Ram stepped up and scored a goal right before half time, bringing the score to 3-1.

The second half started with a quick Patriots goal. All the players celebrated together, then ran toward their coach on the sideline. He told the boys not to get comfortable with their lead and to continue scoring.

The Patriots did just that, scoring five more goals in the second half. The Patriots were dominant, and the Owls couldn’t keep up. The final score of the game was 9-1; the Patriots were victorious. “We’ve been training hard all year; everyone deserves this win, but it’s only the start,” junior defensemen Thomas Jezek said.

The next game was against the Northwood Gladiators on Sept. 12. Wrobleski scored the first goal of the game 10 minutes in, tallying his fourth goal of the season. The next 17 minutes remained scoreless, but then senior midfielder Gabe Pernie put it in the net to put the Patriots ahead 2-0 with 13 minutes left in the half.

Early in the second half, Northwood scored a goal from outside the box in the top right corner of the goal, making the score 2-1. Late in the second half the Gladiators drew a free kick outside the box. The shot was blocked, but the ladiators put the rebound in to tie the game at 2-2. “We were battle tested for the first time all season,” senior goalkeeper Jonathan Lee said.

The game went into overtime. Maryland high school soccer plays a golden goal overtime, meaning the first goal scored wins. Wrobleski scored in the first half of overtime to clinch the win.

The game on Sept. 18 versus rival Churchill was too late to be included in this issue. The next game is an away game versus Clarksburg tomorrow