On Tuesday, the boys varsity soccer team had their second match against Highland.

The first game, at night under the lights for Highland’s Homecoming, featured an electric atmosphere and some of Academy’s most concise finishing. This game would feature a lot of wind and cold temperatures.

In a sign of how much the Academy has improved since their win against Highland on September 28^th, the ball rarely left the Highland half of the field. The Academy strung together passes, swinging the ball away from pressure and towards players with room to operate. Trevor Dean ’20, in particular, would receive the ball wide and explode down the left flank, leaving midfielders and defenders in his wake, sending wicked crosses towards goal. In the eleventh minute, Trevor beat three players and sent a cross to the far post. Kenny Levandoski ’19 slashed a volley back across the net where Lucas Jepsen ’19 calmly slotted the ball home. 1-0. Four minutes later, Trevor did it again and this time Kenny finished it himself. The rest of the half featured two goals called back for offsides and a Highland team starting to find a rhythm. There was lots of wind and biting cold. With time winding down, Highland had one of its few good opportunities with a laser from the top of the penalty box. Yannick Schlenzig ’19 made a beautiful diving save, somehow managing to hold onto the ball and deny onrushing Highland players looking for a rebound and easy goal. The half ended moments later, 2-0.

In the second half, the Academy continued to out-possess Highland and forced several fine saves from their quality keeper. As the wind added rain and then sleet, it seemed that the Academy would be unable to add to their score. Then, in the seventy-first minute, Jackson Taylor ’19 laced a corner kick towards goal. Aaron Hill ’19 hit a low shot that the keeper blocked but found Lucas in the right place for his second goal of the game. 3-0. Four minutes later Aaron lined up a forty-yard free kick. Hitting it low to avoid the wind, it was blocked by a defender and bounced to another Highland player who, wanting to start a fast break, flipped the ball over Aaron. Ryan Sabol ’19 has been asked to play defense this year from his regular midfield spot. He hasn’t complained but he had hoped to have more chances to score in his final season. The ball bounced toward Ryan and he drilled a one touch shot from fifty yards out. It went high in the air and spun with the wind, winding up in the back corner of the net. The game ended minutes later. 4-0.

Thanks to Danny Packer who served as AR, his first time since watching the boys get drubbed by Cleveland during the first game of the year. Hopefully he sees some improvement.

In the seven games of district so far. The Academy has scored 32 goals and allowed 1. Lucas Jepsen has scored 14 goals over that span.

The team next plays Hope away on Thursday.