On Tuesday, the Academy boys varsity soccer team took on Valley High School, the last district team they had yet to play. The Academy entered the game having won their four previous district games without allowing a single goal. The hope was to build on this record against a team that had played similar opponents in tight contests.

Instead of playing on Richard Harper field, the team wanted to play on the friendly confines of the Library Field, their daily practice location. The boys looked on point in warm ups, playing one and two touch keep away. Whether it was the comfort level with the field or their warmups, but the boys started with excellent possession, frequently swinging the ball back and forth across the field leaving Valley to chase the ball. For the first twenty minutes, the ball rarely seemed to be out of Academy control or out of the Valley half of the field.

For all of the possession, Valley proved to be a well-coached and organized side. They kept numbers behind the ball and did not allow many shots. The few shots the Academy was able to manufacture were well saved by their athletic keeper. As the half wore on, Valley started to feel comfortable reading the flow of play and began to control more of the pace of the game and find ways forward into the attack. The half ended with the Academy back on their heels a bit and the score tied 0-0.

In order to earn the win, the Academy was going to have to try to regain control of the midfield and to find a different way to attack in the final third of the field. The half started and the Academy’s new approach and commitment was clear. While Valley still found moments to be dangerous and read the Academy formation well, they were often on the defensive as the Jackson Taylor ’19 and Nate Patton ’22 patrolled the midfield and Lucas Jepsen ’19 and Gabe Saiz ’21 made themselves target for the attack. Twelve minutes in, the first goal came on a corner kick by Gabe that was headed back across the goal by Aaron Hill ’19 for a simple header “tap in” by Lucas. Just two minutes later, Luke Jenkusky ’20 quickly beat the back line on a free kick and flicked a header over the keeper. Again, Lucas did the hard work to be in the right place for an easy finish on the open goal. From there the Academy was on the attack. Lucas played Gabe behind the defense to make it 3-0 and Gabe put back a rebound off a strike from Ryan Sabol ’19 to make it 4-0.

Valley never completely went away. They are well coached and have some good players. After a miscommunication in the mid-field, Valley rushed up the right side, centered the ball, and finished passed a diving Yannick Schlenzig ’19. Any thought that the game would get closer was put to rest by Jackson and Nate tightening up the midfield. With time winding down, the Academy played a nice series of passes from the defense through the midfield, Ryan passed to Gabe, who settled the ball with a deft touch and finished with aplomb. Final 5-1.

The Academy boys team is now 10-4-1, ranked third in 4A and next plays at Del Norte Thursday at 3:30.