The middle school soccer team started the season with a dominant 3-1 home victory against one of the strongest teams in the conference in WCDS. With four of last season's double championship winning team lining up again in the defense along with last year's starting goal keeper, WCDS struggled to make even a single shot on target in the first half. Captains Jonathan Bunker and John Mark Secrist along with returning central defensive rock Tyler Stanford were joined by a solid new central defensive dynamo in Brendan Kim. Ahead of them Kaelen Starrs continued where he left off last season in defensive midfield, breaking up many of the attacks along with new player Michael Sumner who was simply outstanding in his first season on the soccer team.
This year the jackets have a completely new attack with JJ Banek-Gabelle opening the scoring after some tight ball control in the penalty area and a perfectly place shot that gave the keeper no chance. Captain Ali Kamel was a menace all game, raiding down the left wing to provide great crosses and scoring the second goal from the penalty spot following a handball inside the box. Diego Leiva worked tirelessly in attack all game, linking well with the other forward players. Jonathan Bunker was perfectly placed to drill the goal into the goal on the stroke of half time after a weak clearance.
In the second half, the jackets continued to dominate and attack, with Alex Self making a good impression off the bench with some fine shots from right wing. Sidique Thomas-Sualley may have been man of the match with an outstanding display in goal to keep a personal clean sheet before being replaced due to injury when WCDS scored a late consolation goal. All in all it was an impressive start to the defense of their title by the jackets after losing some key players last season.
Thanks
Coach Latham