Boys' Varsity Soccer Ties NMH
The Exeter boys’ varsity soccer team played a hard fought game against Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH) that resulted in a 1-1 tie this past Saturday. While both teams played strongly throughout the eighty minute game, neither was able to take advantage of their offensive opportunities and get a goal through.
An NMH attacker breaks through the midfield, racing with his center forward towards the goal. Exeter center backs, seniors Tyler Swanbeck and Colin Henderson, step up towards the attackers, detering their breakthrough while the rest of the team hauls back to stay in the play.
Clumped in the sixteen meter box, the NHM players skirmish with the Exeter defense, in a panic, the opposing offender whacks the ball at the goal in a last ditch effort to score. The ball swerves towards the net, but just in time, senior and co-captain Behaylu Barry darts past the goal line, clearing the ball away seconds before the opposing team can score.
Swanbeck described the team’s struggle against NMH this weekend. “The game on Saturday was a battle as injuries and sickness had kept out many key players from the starting lineup,” he said. “However, I am proud of how the team managed to get a great result against a strong NMH squad, as it is going to benefit our push for a playoff spot later on in the season.”
In terms of successes for the team, the boys were able to hold their own against a class A team and improved greatly on their possession since Wednesday. Senior co-captain Jonah Johnson praised the team’s play from the game. “The game was good, we were really able to play our game more than we had on Wednesday which was fun,” he said. “I’m mostly proud, though, that we got a shutout against a top class a team. We defended really well as a team, keeping it together and shutting [NMH] down.”
The team not only performed well together, but many individual players worked hard to keep the possession together in the attacking half, especially Big Red’s defenders. Johnson praised his teammates saying, “Tyler Swanbeck and Colin Henderson played absolutely lights out.” Prep Aiden Silvestri agreed with Johnson and elaborated on the player’s rock-solid defense. “[They] played excellent shutting down all of NMH’s attacking chances,” he said.
While the game was generally positive, the boys always strive to improve and they noticed their drop in composure during the second half. “We became more rushed and panicky at the end of the second half, which led to more turnovers and defensive play,” upper Billy Menken said.
After such a close game this past weekend, fans can look forward to a strong showing against Bridgton Academy on Wednesday. The team is determined to work hard in practice, as it hopes to improve its record by securing two wins in the upcoming week. Menken concluded by saying, “We knew the game was going to be a battle, but we were also determined to have some fun. If we can keep up our intensity and drive, it’ll be a great season.”