The varsity boys soccer team defeated the Sherwood Warriors in a close game on October 8. This is a big step for a team that has been in search of a confidence booster all throughout the season.

“It felt good and relieving that we beat Sherwood because we had not beat them for several years. We beat a very good team in one of the toughest divisions in Maryland,” senior Felix Gouanette said.

The team has had a rough last couple of weeks with a record of 1-4-2.

On September 22, the team lost against Quince Orchard High School with a final score of 1-2. At half time the score was 0-2, but after a pep talk from the coach the boys buckled down and increased intensity with the mind-set that they could win.

Even though the final result was not exactly what the players were looking for they are still determined to play well in the upcoming games.

“I am very proud of our team for looking like an actual team and we are looking more organized,” sophomore Marshall Botto said.

The following game, on September 26 against Montgomery Blair High School resulted in a 1-3 loss. The sixth regular season game was scheduled for Wednesday, October 1 at 5 p.m. against Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School, away, but was called back for the following day because of weather related reasons. The score of the Wootton game was 0-1, even though it was a well fought battle in which both teams were good enough to win.

On October 4, the boys played their biggest rivals, Blake High School, and came through with a win. After halftime, senior Nadjitade Badje received a cross from senior Jose Griffin-Benitez for a header right into the back of the net just over the goalie’s reach. Shortly after, senior Edwin Hernandez took a shot but the ball deflected by Blake’s defender.

Senior Robel Desta followed it up with a one-touch finish out of goalies reach placed in the bottom left corner of the net. In the same 10 minutes sophomore Edgar Escobar had a break away right down the center of the field, took the shot and it went right under the goalies arms as he dove for the save.

Later Blake came back but their rally was not good enough for a win, even though they scored two more goals. Many of the Devil players were pleased with the outcome of the game.

“The score reflected our play and effort because we were all working hard and, connecting passes and then putting them into the back of the net,” Escobar said.

On October 18 the Blue Devils will face off against the State champion Magruder Colonels. They are often considered the most dominant soccer team in the league.