Boys varsity soccer claims NYSAIS championship with win over rival Hackley
Team members pose for pictures after the 2-1 victory over Hackley on Sunday, November 8. From left to right: Nate Dyott ’22, Amechi Aduba ’22, Kyle Benson ’22, Daniel Medina ’22, Tiago Brousset ’22, Denis Sadrijaj ’22, Daniel Heller ’22.
November 8, 2021
In a thrilling effort, the boys varsity soccer team defeated Hackley School by a score of 2-1 in the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) finals. After a stalemate for most of the first half, senior Daniel Heller brought a charge to the team with a low-driven shot past Hackley’s frozen goalkeeper to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead right before halftime. Heller continued to contribute in the second half, as he scored his second of the game from a tight angle that found its way under the opposing goalkeeper’s dive. However, Hackley did not give in easily, scoring a penalty kick just a couple minutes later to tighten the gap at 2-1. The Panthers would hold strong for the rest of the contest, though, winning the game by that same score.
This marked the boys varsity soccer team’s first major championship in five years, since the team last won the Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) championship in 2016. The win also marked the team’s first NYSAIS championship ever. In the upcoming weeks, the team will participate in the FAA tournament and also may have the chance to compete in the New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) tournament as well.
