Written by Bella Wise and Sameer Hirani

On September 12, the Boys Varsity Soccer team went head to head against the FASNY sharks. The game marked the first of many shots for redemption in the team’s 2023 season. RCDS fell behind early due to some defensive miscommunication but Alex Gurion ‘26 catalyzed the comeback using his ability to break lines and scoring the opening goal. A. Gurion’s brother, Captain Jonah Gurion ‘24, slotted home the go-ahead goal after a tidy run and cross from Luis Gutierrez ‘25. The team pushed forward and were awarded a penalty that Captain Matt Jachman ‘25 placed into the net, securing a comfortable lead for the Wildcats heading into the second half. 

The second half resumed with a more confident RCDS defense and Captain Sameer Hirani ‘24 pushed the team forwards through combination plays and long balls. After a pass from A. Gurion found the feet of his older brother, J. Gurion put another goal away. The game was a promising 4-1 first win for the Wildcats.  

At the mere age of five, Junior Captain M. Jachman found a love for soccer because it allowed him to “forget anything else that is going on outside of the field and focus on the game.” Jachman explains soccer’s importance as a universal sport, and its reliance on the cooperation of the team. He believes that this year the team’s chemistry surpasses past seasons because many members  have played together before and opening connections have already been made. Jachman has hope that Boys Varsity soccer “can really achieve a lot if we work together and strive through adversity.”

Only three days after their season opener, the Wildcats fought for a hard-won 2-0 victory over St. Luke’s. The Storm were pouring in shots, but could not find the connection thanks to the defensive efforts of Hirani, Chris Yepes ‘25, Max Garcia-Tuñon ‘24, and Pete Miller ‘25, who stood firm in goal. Garcia-Tuñon deserves an honorable mention for effectively regaining possession to facilitate scoring opportunities in the midfield. In the middle of the first half, a long ball from Hirani was nodded by Garcia-Tuñon Joaquin Gonzalez ‘25, who rounded the keeper before calmly slotting home to put the Wildcats in the lead. He then did the sui celebration, mimicking his hero Cristiano Ronaldo. 

The Wildcats began the following half with stronger discipline and unity. Despite this, the team  would soon be under more pressure as lead defensemen, Garcia-Tuñon and Hirani, had to be sidelined. However, a resilient effort from Alex Rivas ‘25 and Yepes stopped numerous attacks with clean, but crunching tackles. Miller was also a key factor in closing out the game due to his steady saves and calm mentality. The team’s defensive efforts allowed fast break opportunities for the Wildcats to arise. J. Gurion managed to tangle his defender up and rifle a shot into the Storm’s net to close out the game. 

The Wildcats have added new members to the roster, and these new players have contributed fierce energy and resilience to the game, these changes showing themselves in the winning outcomes. Because the entire defensive line of players is led by their goalie Miller, he is able to identify that new players add different perspectives and fresh talent. Considering that each individual thinks and plays differently, which helps incorporate a successful team, Blake Jachman ‘25 could only describe having new members as, “like the jelly to the sunbutter and jelly sandwich.” Well said, Blake; the nut free reference is greatly appreciated.

In what might be described as the most intense game in RCDS soccer history, the Wildcats won 4-3 against the Greenwich Country Day School Tigers—our local rivals—on September 21, 2023. The game kicked off with some end-to-end action that saw GCDS come to an early lead. However, hysterical fans saw a shot on a wide open net saved by an outfield player, who subsequently received a red card. A. Gurion rocketed the penalty home to tie up the score and register his second goal of the season. Playing one man down, the Tigers remained ambitious, but strong defensive plays by Yepes, the Jachman brothers, Rivas, and Miller stomped their opportunities out.  Both teams exchanged tackles, elbows, and pushes. Hostilities overflowed as a quarrel nearly erupted due to repeated offenses and a shove to Garcia-Tuñon. The Wildcats remained persistent, and Shamar Williams ‘25 scored a penalty directly before the halftime whistle. Once again, A. Gurion kept his cool and brought RCDS ahead to finish out the half.

Momentum shifted early on in the second half as the inspiring technical staff was subdued in an effort to avoid blockings. An attack from the Tigers saw them net an equalizer, which was shortly followed by a deflected shot finding Rye Country Day’s net again. As the Wildcats were down 3-2, they were in desperate need of some inspiration and Gonzalez was just the man for the job. His energetic runs provided the opportunity for A. Gurion to get him the ball behind and bring the score to a draw. The game was similar to that of violent ping-pong, as neither team could seem to maintain a steady lead on the other. With five minutes remaining on the clock, a few strong tackles and the ball left in space for Gonzalez allowed him to take on multiple defenders before rifling the game point into the top left corner. The Wildcats had just secured their third straight win and 5-0 all-time record versus GCDS.

This year is looking bright for the Wildcats in the FAA playoffs, which begin November 6th.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Mon. November 6 vs. FAA Quarter-Finals @ TBD

Wed. November 8 vs. FAA Semi-Finals @ TBD

Fri. November 10 vs. FAA Finals @ TBD