After a game postponement due to inclement weather, the boys varsity soccer team was able to finally get its first game in on Sept. 3, the first in the Zumwalt Kickoff Classic tournament. Because of the rainy weather over the weekend games were forced to be rescheduled leaving the boys with four games in five days to start off the season strong. Before heading into their game against Chaminade on Sept. 5 the team was 2-0 after defeating Warrenton 8-0 in only one half of play and Duchesne 4-0, sending the team off on a high note as they took on the state-ranked Chaminade, according to senior Connor McGoogan. 

“I’m feeling pretty confident. I’m feeling like we have good momentum towards this game. I feel like it’s going to be the hardest game of the year, one of them for sure. So it’s good feeling good going into this game,” McGoogan said. 

McGoogan, who is one of the Spartan goalies, believes that going into playing Chaminade coming off of two wins is a big confidence booster for the team. Freshman Tanner Jones agreed with McGoogan and believes that there is some improvement for the team from the first game to the second. 

“We improved a lot more from last game and the speed and intensity picked up, but we still need to pick it up more for tomorrow,” Jones said. 

In order to be successful and “pick it up” as Jones put it, senior Luke Hantack believes there are some who must be present in their game against Chaminade. 

“We definitely need to work on the speed of play, like coach says all the time. He tells us to speed it up every half. Come out faster,” Hantack said. 

The stakes for this game are all bragging rights. Defeating a highly ranked team this early in the season is a clear statement. 

“Considering they’re the number four team in the state, and they’re all boys so they pretty much get recruited to play soccer there, I think it’ll be pretty tough. But we got this,” Hantack explained. 

Unfortunately, the boys fall to Chaminade 2-1 in an all-out battle of a game. But walking away from this game and heading into their next game Sept. 7, versus Fort Zumwalt North, they are leaving still with a positive outlook on the continuation of their season. 

“We’re staying well together, the chemistry is there. We’re putting shots on target, everyone’s staying as a team and not letting up,” McGoogan said. 

Follow the boys soccer Twitter @FHCSoccer for more updates on the Spartans in the rest of their season play.