Soccer's Fresh Start

“The Saints have been miraculous all tournament. Do they have one more miracle in them?” I said into the microphone at the 2023 VISAA soccer state final last November. In the two preceding matches, the St. Christopher’s varsity soccer team had narrowly advanced in penalties against Cape Henry Collegiate in the quarterfinals and Potomac School in the semifinals. Regardless, these two contests were thrilling and sent the Saints to the State Championship with momentum. This said, the next match would serve as a reminder that sports have the potential to drop us to lows even after thrilling highs.

     The STC squad faced Collegiate School at City Stadium for the State Final. Even after scoring to gain 1-0 lead and making a crucial penalty save (by Dougie Boardman ’25), they could not separate from the rival Cougars in 90 minutes and went to extra time. The first period was uneventful, and the Saints were minutes away from a third consecutive penalty shootout. With just three minutes left, Collegiate won a corner. They sent in a cross, the header found the back net and it was over. The season ended in one moment, and the quest for back-to-back titles fell short in the form of a 2-1 defeat.

     In 2024, these players return to the pitch with the same end goal: to conquer that final peak for the sixth time in school history and reclaim their title as state champions. After losing a number of graduating valuable players, including the starting wingers, center backs and multiple starting midfielders, the roster now has a very different look.

     However, as has been true through Coach Jay Wood’s full tenure, there is plenty of younger talent ready to step into a bigger role. Carson Stalker ’27 is ready to take over a starting winger role, and Luke Ryan ’25 is prepared for a larger role in the attack, which will be led by Jack Bleecher ’25. Bleecher is coming off of an All-Metro season in which he had a team-leading 14 goals and 3 assists. Additionally, the midfield will be headlined by senior Max Mumford ’25 with Sutton Olesen ’26 and Lucas Gordinier ’26 primed to take on significant responsibilities to fill the absences of starters from 2023. The defense also took a big hit, but they have a very talented group led by All-Metro left back Steven Bishara ’25.

Coming into this year, I talked to Olesen about how the team is approaching the fresh season. His main thoughts on the transition included saying that, “of course, losing in the way we did last year serves as extra motivation for the guys that experienced it, but that’s behind us now.”

     They have a very challenging schedule ahead, but aren’t letting it bother them. The team practice shirts have “W-I-N” on the back, standing for “What’s Important Now.” Last season ended in heartbreak, but as Olesen said and the W-I-N mantra shows, all they can do is “put everything we have into every second of every game.” 

This sentiment is embodied best by one of last season’s senior captains, Charlie Hudson ’24, in his consistent echo that “the crusade continues.” Having talent is one thing, but Coach Wood and the experienced leaders, like co-captains Bleecher and Bishara, have stressed the importance of giving everything each day to have success and make another deep run in November.