Academy 2.   West Mesa 1

On Thursday night, the boys varsity returned to the APS Complex to face West Mesa.

After a clunker of a first game where nothing went right, the team had questions to answer. Could they take positive steps towards integrating new players and veteran players in new positions? Could they play with poise and possess the ball? Could they demonstrate spirit and work ethic?

Answers came quickly as the boys made a dangerous run at the West Mesa goal inside the first two minutes. While there were moments of both teams kicking the ball out of pressure rather than playing with poise, the Academy midfield possessed and the attack had ideas and connection forward as Lucas Jepsen ’19, Kenny Levandoski ’19, Mateo Centenera ’20, and Trevor Dean ’20 played each other through the defense, each time just missing the last, finishing touch.

The first goal then, came as a surprise. Twenty minutes in, against the run of play, West Mesa took a hard shot from outside that squeezed past Yannick Schlenzig ’19 and found the back of the net. The boys stood for a moment, deflated. Now there were more questions. Were we facing an unlucky run where nothing goes right like Tuesday? Could we pick ourselves back up and continue to attack?

One of the few highlights from Tuesday was the quality depth on the team. On Thursday, Coach Kolek decided to sub in a player who had shown particularly well, Gabe Saiz ’21. Right away, he displayed intention to go to goal and make dynamic plays. Five minutes after allowing a goal, Curt McNary ’19 settled the ball and passed away from pressure to Gabe on the wing. Gabe took a touch and beat the keeper with a crafty shot. Goal. Tied 1-1.

At halftime the players knew they were coming together and playing better. They were resolved to finish strong. The rest of the game was a series of Academy attacking plays with a few counters from West Mesa. With opportunity after opportunity bouncing away or being mishit, until finally Gabe passed back across the goal face and Kenny headed it home. 2-1.

The game would end that way for the first Academy win of the season. The West Mesa coach exclaimed after the game, “What a work ethic. They didn’t stop.”