Confident soccer teams excel at season kickoff

September 21, 2006

Girls soccer beat Choate 2-1, Tilton with a flat-out 6-0

Boys soccer team is loaded with talent and 'confident leadership'

Boys and girls soccer launched the new season with significant wins against Tilton and Choate, paving the way for Big Red success this fall.

Girls varsity trounced Tilton with a 6-0 win in its first match of the year. The game was marked by exceptional offensive and defensive work and prepared the girls for their key 2-1 win against Choate in the second game of the season. Girls soccer coach Hilary Coder says varsity’s Choate win required particular “courage and toughness.” For Sophie ’07, this is the first time in her four years on the team that they’ve beaten Choate. “I think we will make it as far as we want, winning regionals this year if we don't get complacent.” Anna ’07 agrees, “Beating Choate is telling. We are a team with incredible potential!” Coder concurs, "The team rose to the occasion with a synergy that is ahead of schedule. Speed, movement off the ball and awareness of the field and team mates were all highlights of last Saturday’s game.”

Varsity boys soccer secured their own win against Tilton, scoring 4-1. Coach Bill Dennehy calls the win “an example of the quiet, confident leadership of returning veterans.” Greg ’09, one of those veterans, says, “We have many more new players than we did last year, great new talent, and we’ll work to master our team chemistry.” Joey ’07 said the team will use its skill level to compensate for its size, smaller than it has been in the past. “We played really well as a unit during our first game, which bodes well for our success. The New England Championships? I really want to claim that title, and I think this team can do it!”

Watch boys soccer take on Holderness at Exeter on Saturday, September 23 at 3:00 p.m. Girls soccer travels on Saturday, September 23 for a match with Deerfield.