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caption, page 9:
Champs
The Marianapolis Golden Knight boys' soccer team celebrates their SENE championship last week. Photo courtesy of Diana Creed.
Knights
are SENE
champs
THOMPSON --- The Golden Knights won their second consecutive SENE Championship Nov. 19 at home, overcoming Wheeler School 1-0 in a hard fought match; in NEPSAC Semifinals.
In the old days we used to say “It’s Tourney time in Thompson”. And so it was as the Wheeler School boys’ team traveled to Thompson for the second time in a week for the SENE Championship game. The Golden Knights were playing to defend last year’s league championship upset of perennial powerhouse Providence Country Day School as well as this year’s regular season SENE title.
Coach Darman came up with a new game plan and switched the formation to 4-1-4-1. This meant that there would be 4 defenders as always but senior midfielder Zachary Morin would move from left inside midfield to left back and junior Hayden Yaworski would become the 1 in front of the 4 defense with the sole responsibility of marking the Wheeler striker # 11, who had caused havoc during the last game in Thompson on Nov. 5. ( 0-0 tie).
Yaworski did an unbelievable job for the entire game as the Wheeler offense was limited to very little quality scoring chances each half. Peter Boguszewski made four great saves and senior Greg Diaz swept away the dangerous through balls. Sophomore Eric Bordua showed great improvement in his marking and defending and distributed the ball very well. Trevor Ouellet, as always, was all over the field hustling to and winning almost every ball.
A remarkable effort was also turned in by Isauro Figueriredo who played his heart out in the midfield alongside Ouellet and just seemed a step faster on the pitch. Ben Gustavson played the entire game as the other 1 in the formation as a solo striker and although frustrated by the fact that he had to take on 2 or 3 defenders most of the game did occupy those Wheeler defenders who could not now come forward. Gustavson, despite the defensive attention by the aggressive Wheeler defense assisted on the only goal of the game by Junior Kyle Higginbottom, who although reprimanded by Trainer Buddy Drew for not stretching properly before the game, showed everyone he was ready to play when he lofted a lovely shot over the Wheeler Goalie 6 minutes into the match for the only goal of the game.
Senior backs Colin Duethorn and Zachary Morin (playing out of his normal middy position) both had strong games defensively as did sophomore midfielder Nick Borowski. Rafal Lachcick came off the bench to give the outside midfielders a rest and played very well. The other key to the game was the boys ability to implement a quick two touch passing scheme which Coach Darman has been drilling into their heads all season long. Coach Darman was extremely proud and pleased with the way all the players moved the ball and switched the field. The boys celebrated long and hard after the game and Coach Gustavson got a not so pleasurable but extremely gratifying Gatorade dousing. Next year it is Coach Darman’s turn.
The boys improved their overall record to 18-1-3, the best winning percentage in Marianapolis soccer history.
They advanced to the NEPSAC Class C quarterfinal, defeating Kent’s Hill School of northern Maine Nov. 18.