- Benjamin Blauner
This past Sunday, Fieldston Boys Varsity Soccer beat Trinity, the defending champs of the past two seasons, to win their first-ever NYSAIS championship. Near the end of the first half, Fieldston was down 0-2, when Calder Stokes (V) scored, making the score 1-2. Going into halftime, they remained down 1-2. At the start of the second half, Itai Groffman (VI) scored a 30 yard free kick, curved perfectly into the top right corner of the goal, to tie the game at 2-2. Soon after, Itai scored again to put Fieldston up 3-2. A few minutes later, Trinity scored to tie the game at 3-3.
With less than ten minutes left, Jason Najjar (VI) scored a header to put Fieldston up 4-3, this ultimately being the game-winning goal. After the game, Najjar said that he “never imagined this season would go this way and even though [he] scored the winning goal, it was a collective team effort that put [him] in the position to score. [He’s] never been happier and so proud to be part of a team and friend group. These are the memories [he] hopes [he] never forget when [he] looks back on [his] high school experience.” This game did not come easily to the soccer team, especially for goalie Jack Noveck Holmes (V): “Unlike field players you don’t get the opportunity to constantly be on the ball and get rid of your jitters. One way that I block out the pressure is by making my presence felt in the match - communicating with my defenders, setting up defensive formations, etc. All of these things help me stay focused on the actual play, rather than the stakes of the game.”
Jedd Horowitz (III) who is new to the team, spoke about how he prepared for the game. He said, “playing with some amazing players in practice prepared me for some of the talented and older opponents that I faced throughout the season. The potential of being NYSAIS champions pushed everyone to give it their all during practices and games, and I embraced the idea of trying to be the best.” Horowitz’s hard work and effort were shown several times throughout the season. The turnaround of this team has been incredible. BVS went from not making the playoffs last year to winning their first ever championship this year. Captain Daniel Silverstein (V) spoke about how the team has turned the team around from last year. “I really believe that a lot of the success we have had this year is because of how close we are off the field,” he said, “Last year we had a lot of talent, but something didn’t click with our team chemistry. This year, I don’t think we could be any closer.” He was also very proud of the team, saying, “all in all, the team is so proud of what we have accomplished this year and are looking forward to next year!”
It sounds like the team has a strong chemistry and bond on and off the field that has given them. Congratulations to all the players on Boys Varsity Soccer, the coaches, and the managers, and hopefully, BVS can go back-to-back next year!
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