Englewood High School’s Boys’ Varsity Soccer team wrapped up their season with an impressive 6-2-2 league record, showcasing resilience in their most competitive campaign in recent years. Despite their strong showing, the team narrowly missed qualifying for the playoffs, an outcome that was felt especially hard by the three seniors who helped expand the soccer program’s influence at the school.
Captain Nana Essel, a senior who played forward and left-wing, reflected on the season with pride, “We did well in the league, and everyone was excited to play this year,” Essel said, “It was the best season I’ve had. From freshman year to now, I’ve seen a lot of growth, both in myself and the team. It was hard to think this was my last game, but overall, I’m proud of how far we’ve come.”
Essel’s emotions about the final game of the season were shared by his teammates, as the loss to a tough opponent in the final match ended their playoff hopes, “It was sad not to make the playoffs, but it’s okay. We did our best, and we had fun, especially traveling to different places and bonding off the field,” Essel added.
Despite the disappointment, Coach Christopher Kavinsky reflected on the season as a success, “We had some ups and downs. We started the league strong with a four-game win streak, but it came down to the very last game,” he said. “Ultimately, we didn’t get the result we wanted, but it was an exciting and competitive season.”
(Jonathan Ruiz)
Coach Kavinsky also paid tribute to the three seniors who had been with the program all four years, “It’s tough losing seniors. You watch them grow not only as players but as young adults. These three individuals were integral to the team’s success and to the culture of Englewood High School soccer. We’ll certainly miss them,” he said.
The season may have ended without a playoff berth, but the legacy of the seniors and the team’s overall performance will continue to impact the program for years to come. The Englewood High School Boys’ Varsity Soccer team can hold their heads high, knowing they gave their all and set a high bar for future seasons.
