SPHS Boys Soccer Gets Off To Sizzling Start

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The Falcon boys varsity soccer team is taking the 2021 season in stride. En route to a 2-0 record, players admit disappointment that the season is short, but they’re grateful for the chance to bond and, for some of them, represent the Falcons one last time.

“Although this was not the season we expected, I think everyone is just happy to get on the field for these five games,” said Bennett Jefferds. “For a lot of us, this is the last year we will be playing competitive soccer and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys to play with.”

That group beat Southern 8-0 on March 23. The Falcons got two goals from both Bennett Jefferds and Gus Bachmann. Zach Plummer, Jay Pierce, Brendan Fisher and Braden Van den Berg all contributed goals in the victory. Ben McLay and Brandon Asch split time in goal during the shutout.

The Falcons’ followed that win by beating rival Broadneck, 4-1, on March 30. Severna Park goals were scored by Bachmann (two), Jefferds (one) and Brady Denman (one).

“There’s always going to be more weight attached to a win against Broadneck, and especially for all of us in this class of players, it has more significance because the last two or three times we have played against them, we have lost,” Bachmann said. “So to go there and win at the margin we did, it was very satisfying. Regardless, it’s always a battle against them and always a fun game to play in for sure.”

Bachmann said he has admiration for all of his teammates who have worked hard with the limited time they have been given this season. During the offseason, seniors organized a socially distant, weekly workout to keep players in shape and getting touches on the ball, he said.

The boys’ April 6 showdown with Arundel occurred after the Severna Park Voice went to print. The team also has games against Annapolis on April 8 and South River on April 13. Their goal? Make the season as memorable as possible.

“We only have three games left in a five-game season, so we need to make the most of every minute we have left,” Bachmann said prior to the April 6 game. “For the seniors, it’s the last three games they’ll ever be playing in this uniform, and I have a lot of empathy for them and their situation. But I haven’t heard one of them complain or lament over the unfortunate situation that they’re in. Aside from winning the rest of the games we have, the best thing that we can take away from this season is the memories we are making each day together.”

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