Heights (MD) Varsity Soccer Falls Just Short in Quarterfinals

The starting 11 in a pregame huddle before facing Paul VI.

Defending a title is hard in any sport. In the competitive gauntlet that is the WCAC, it is that much harder. On Tuesday, October 29, The Heights fell to Bishop McNamara in a 0-1 playoff matchup in what some assumed to be an underwhelming season. Nevertheless, this year’s Cavs team was full of talent despite losing 13 seniors the year before. Head Coach Colin Gleason had to take a different approach to his strategy and schemes after losing a physical group, relying this year on more technical players and play designs. Assistant Coach Pedro Paz had the midfield, the strength of the team, improving every week with Senior Captains Edward Iriarte and Luis Garma leading the way. The midseason return of their third captain, Nicky Diaz-Bonilla, brought a new energy and fervor to a team that was still finding its new identity at that particular moment. Diaz-Bonilla quickly picked up where he left off the year before, scoring and assisting in nearly every game for the rest of the season. He and senior Max Quenneville led a scary offensive attack along with junior Enzo Sosa up top. The fanbase traveled well, which not many schools can boast. The goalkeeping position was a question in the offseason, but it only took a remarkable save early in the season from senior Brandon Pin vs. Georgetown Prep in a 1-0 win to let goalie coach Kyle Blackmer know he was their guy. Along with a young keeper in Elias Hughes, he and Pin performed well down the stretch. Tough league battles included losses to Good Counsel, O'Connell, Gonzaga, DeMatha and wins against McNamara (3-2), a senior day victory (1-0) against St. John's and a long journey to St. Mary's Ryken that included a questionable red card against Quenneville and memorable food experiences in a 5-0 rout. Standout junior defender Avery Christen arguably played the best ball of his career on a fractured arm, showing the toughness that comes with playing Heights sports. Bright spots off the bench were sophomore Lucas Stadelmann and whichever Nicolacci twin came off the bench. Next up was the playoffs, where in a tightly contested battle, the Cavs fell to McNamara in a heartbreaking 0-1 quarterfinal loss on the road. The team looks to regroup next season with its new crop of emerging upper class men talent taking the pitch.