Boys’ Soccer Comes Out Victorious Against Choate

The boys’ varsity soccer team narrowly won its game against Choate Rosemary Hall last Saturday, finishing with a final score of 1-0. Though Choate proved a tough opponent throughout the entirety of the game, Exeter came out on top in the second half with an impressive goal scored by new senior Ignacio Roitman.

According to captain and senior Quintin DiStefano, the win against Choate was “extremely important.” After a difficult start to the season with three disappointing losses, the team’s game against Choate marks their third win in a row after a 4-1 win against St. Paul’s School on Wednesday Sept. 21 and a 2-1 win against Lawrence Academy on Sunday Sept. 25. The team’s recent winning streak is a testament to their rapid improvement as they continue to work hard during practice every day and figure out their best playing strategies.

The win against Choate was especially critical for the boys given the strength of Choate’s team. “They are a very skilled and organized team and we rose to the challenge,” DiStefano explained. Describing Roitman’s second-half goal as “integral,” he also praised Exeter’s defense for successfully “shutting Choate out.” Lower Jonah Johnson and senior Collin Shapiro both listed Roitman’s goal, a volley into the bottom right corner of the net, as the highlight of the game. Additionally, star goalie Max Gross stepped up with his reliable and consistent excellence, making several incredible saves throughout the game.

Nevertheless, some players saw room for improvement in the team’s performance. According to Johnson, the  game against Choate was “a scrappy win.” He went on say that it was “not our best soccer, but we got it done.” Though Shapiro also acknowledged that it was “a tight game from start to finish,” he felt that overall, “It went really well.”

The victory against Choate not only boosted team spirit but proved to the team the extent of their capabilities and potential. “We learned that we can possess,” Shapiro said, “and that we are a talented team.” It will be important for the team to keep this same mindset from their past three games throughout the remainder of the season. According to DiStefano, the team is also planning to keep their game plan similar to what it has been.

“We learned that we can possess and that we are a talented team.”

The team has an away game at New Hampton School this Saturday. According to Johnson, the boys are preparing “by remaining calm, practicing set pieces and getting tactically and technically prepared for the game.”