Big Red Remains Undefeated After Eight Games; Big Red Extends Winning Streak with Fifth Game in a Row

The play clock signals that two minutes have passed since the start of the game. Upper Jack Burgess is on the line for a corner kick. The ball flies off of his cleats and bounces off of lower John Jean-Baptiste’s head. The crowd gasps in anticipation as the ball arcs through the air. The goalie dives, but it is too late. The ball soars into the back of the net and the crowd bellows in excitement.

“We are ballin’” is the motto for Big Red’s Boys’ Soccer and they clearly held those words close to heart as they balled out against the New Hampton School this past Saturday.

Jean-Baptiste’s header gave Big Red the lead early on and they maintained it all the way to the end, winning 3-1. In addition to Jean-Baptiste’s goal, senior John Finn and senior and co-captain Jake Gehron pocketed goals of their own, both assisted by Burgess. 

Head Coach AJ Cosgrove highlighted Burgess for his exemplary play. “All over the field, everybody played a good game. But, in particular, Jack Burgess stuck out.” Upper Alex Fraser agreed, saying that Burgess has really “stepped up this year and has recently been very motivated to practice hard.” Even the manager of Boys’ Soccer, upper Julia Norsworthy, noted that “Jack has always played well, but he dominated the field against New Hampton.”

Going into the game, Big Red was “ready to win,” according to senior Carson Garland. Lower Aiden Silvestri agreed and added that “[Upper] Griffin Walker brought us all together before the game and got us all hyped. He really put our mind into the game and we played amazing.”

Even though they defeated a previously undefeated and what Cosgrove called a “fit, athletic and well organized” team, Big Red suffered some setbacks. During the first half, Cosgrove thought that the team “got away from the things [they] do well,” and during halftime, he encouraged them to “go out and play a smart and intense second half.” The team did just that.

For Silvestri, if what the coaches told him was not enough motivation to pick up his game, then it was what senior Emir Islamovic said that did motivate him. Silvestri said, “I wasn’t playing very hot in the first half, but Emir yelled at me during halftime and that really got me going.” Several teammates applauded Islamovic’s positive influence to their own personal improvement. While Islamovic inspires Silvestri to play better soccer, Garland said, “Emir motivates me to go to the gym and get bigger thighs.”

There is little time for banter and horseplay during practice given the intensity of the sport, however, Islamovic notes, “Off the field, we know how to bring the fun.” The team can often be seen parading around campus together and Fraser said that “I can count on my teammates to have my back whether things get a little physical on the field with the other team, or if I need some academic help.”

The team boasts an impressive five-win streak and are looking to bring the Big Red heat this Thursday against Worcester. Senior and co-captain Billy Menken said, “Let’s continue ballin’ and keep our win streak alive.”