Boys’ varsity soccer starts off season with two wins

#13 Cody Smith drives the ball through the Michigan Center midfield.

submitted by Scott Somerville

The Manchester High School Boys Varsity Soccer Team kicked off 2020 competition on September 9 with an away match vs. Michigan Center. On a pleasantly cool summer evening, the Flying Dutchman overcame a 0-1 deficit with 13 minutes left in the second half to win 2-1.

After senior Adam Pringle converted a penalty kick to tie the game at 1-1, the Dutchman played with renewed intensity and senior Henry Wehrly netted the game-winning goal off a junior Max Edwards volley with three minutes left in the match. The team played defensively for the balance of the match, securing the win.

This was the first game for the new coaching staff of Dan Tar (Head Coach) and Scott Somerville (Assistant Coach). As well, the team played the match while abiding to Executive Order-176 that requires face coverings during competition.

“Wearing a mask was challenging. I hope we get used to the masks as we will probably be wearing them for the remaining games this season,” said sophomore Luke Somerville.

The following night, September 10, the team played their first home match of the season vs. Stockbridge. Playing at home and on the turf-field enabled a faster pace of play when compared to the previous night on grass. The first half of the match featured many scoring opportunities by the Manchester team but also a very good defense by Stockbridge and the first-half ended with a slim 1-0 lead for Manchester.

In the second half the Dutchman re-focused on fundamentals plus team play and exploded to score seven goals. Outstanding defensive efforts by juniors Grant Tar, Nathan Booth, Ashton Dalton, and sophomore Jacob Morin kept Stockbridge scoreless for a final 8-0 tally. Goals were scored by Wehrly (x2), Pringle, Edwards, Somerville as well as sophomores Tyler Lutton, Charlie Monschau-Johnson and freshman Luis Baron. Assists were by Wehrly (x2), Somerville (x2), Pringle and sophomore Derek Huff.

“Our team play improved in the second half and it showed by the distribution of goals and assists over many different players,” stated Grant Tar.

#10 Adam Pringle heads the ball in the match against Michigan Center. Photos courtesy of MHS Soccer

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.