This year’s soccer season has included several outstanding games, as each player appears to be giving their all. Players are just around the corner, so one game could make-or-break a team’s season—all the preparation and work put into their soccer season will be put to the test.
Rockville vs. Kenndey on Sept. 22 at Rockville ended in a 6-2 victory for the Rams, who started and finished the game strong, from kickoff to the final whistle. Rockville senior Antony Gaitan scored a hat trick in the game and overall, performed well individually. Kennedy didn’t get the chance to assert their skills in the game, as it seemed that Rockville’s constant pressure on the ball was too much for Kennedy to handle. They were outplayed that night, and as of now are 2-4-2.
Richard Montgomery vs. Quince Orchard on Sept. 20 at Richard Montgomery was another interesting game to watch, with visitors Quince Orchard walking away with a 2-0 victory. A strong team, Quince Orchard played a physical game and was able to take their chances. Their compactness as a team gave Richard Montgomery difficulty in breaking the lines and getting past the back line. Richard Montgomery managed to stay in the game, giving Quince Orchard some scares, but didn’t manage to actually score. Richard Montgomery’s goalkeeper made a costly error in the second half, and the score became 2-0 in a final winning blow. The Rockets will be sure to tighten up and get back to their winning ways. Currently, Richard Montgomery is 3-3-1. Quince Orchard is currently 7-1 going into the playoffs.
Another team to keep an eye on is Winston Churchill’s boys’ varsity soccer team, currently 7-1. With the regular season in the final stretch, there’s no room for a major drop-off for them to challenge their competitors in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, girls’ varsity soccer leaders Blair, Walter Johnson and Whitman all are 9-1—an exciting end for their playoffs as well. With so many contenders, it’s hard to predict who will win the championship, but one thing that’s guaranteed is that every game will be tight and come down to strategic chances.
Teams who didn’t perform as well as they hoped this season will look to close the season on a positive note and continue to strive for improvement next season. With playoffs just around the corner and the title of the championship game at stake, be sure to energetically support your school’s team.
Article written by Matthew Pina of Richard Montgomery High School
Photo by Ashlee Argueta by Richard Montgomery High School