VARSITY SOCCER
Zero. It’s a digit playing a big role this season for Fenn’s varsity soccer team. Zero goals scored against them. Zero losses. At St. Sebastian School in Needham on October 13, Fenn jumped out to a quick 2-0 advantage, moving the ball well and playing strong defense. The boys in blue-and-gold kept the pressure on St. Seb’s and ran away with a decisive 4-0 victory.
Boston College High School made the long trek to Monument Street on October 14. Fenn was dominant in this one-sided campaign, handing BC High a 9-0 defeat. Fenn varsity is undefeated this season and has outscored opponents 31-0 in regular season action.
Up next: Varsity (7-0) @ Shore Country Day School on October 21
JV SOCCER
Lessons from the practice field coalesced beautifully for Fenn's JV Soccer squad on October 14 as they surged past archrival Fessenden's Varsity B side, 6-2, in West Newton. Recent training for Fenn has focused on technical skills (trapping, heading, flat passing, controlled shooting), restarts, and tactical patience, and the evidence was unequivocal throughout the well-played match. Their possession-oriented passing completely neutralized the Bears' obvious advantages in size, strength and speed, and smart work on restarts produced the decisive scoring opportunities. Indeed, five of Fenn's six goals came from corners and free kicks.
Devon Brandon struck the opening goal in the run of play, curling a nicely restrained one-touch shot from about 15 yards. He was well-positioned to meet a pass from Tucker Winstanley on the right wing, who cut back sharply to evade a towering defender and carved out the essential extra moment he needed to locate a target before crossing. At the quarter-hour, Matt Nicholas controlled a short corner and approached the near post, drawing defenders to him and opening the expected passing lane for his service to Billy McCullen. McCullen shot immediately, scrambling it home from short range for an early 2-0 lead. Fessenden cut the deficit with a well-played throw-in and some goal-line hustle that produced an easy tap-in at 24 minutes, yet Harry Bertos and captain Ethan Mullen ensured that Fenn had the last word before halftime. Bertos directed a laser-accurate free kick from 30 yards to Mullen at the 12-yard dot, where he angled a handsome header inside the left post.
Fessenden displayed good ball-control habits at many points, and they created their fair share of shooting opportunities on the compact natural-grass surface, but they undoubtedly wished more of their shots had landed on target. Fenn goalkeeper Jack Hudson, pulling on the gloves for the first time this season, controlled a number of balls at the edges of the penalty area and displayed a fine sense of where to distribute his throws. Downfield, Fenn's increasingly quick, confident ball movement was rewarded repeatedly. Mullen, McCullen, Nicholas, Jesse Fernandez and Luke First sustained possession with short passes through midfield; Brandon and Ben LaPlante penetrated dangerously up top; and Bertos bedeviled Fessy with clever dribbling, drawing a number of fouls within shooting range. Three of the resulting free kicks generated additional goals for Fenn, with Bertos, Fernandez and Izak Murphy delivering the restarts to threatening locations for rebounds and easy tap-ins. Fessenden replied once, with a 35-yard lob from the left touchline, but could not draw any closer.
Murphy was a tireless force in central defense for the Blue & Gold, and Ethan Beagle and Calvin Martindale supported him effectively as outside backs.
Up next: JV (5-1) vs Fay School on October 26
THIRDS SOCCER
Fenn’s Gold Soccer team played to a 2-2 draw with Fessenden on October 14 at home. Fenn spotted Fessenden the first goal of the game, but never gave up. Charlie Groome’s rainbow kick was the highlight for Fenn. Groome’s incredible shot came while he was facing the away from the goal, and kicking over his own head into the net.
The Blue Thirds team was defeated by Park School, 3-1 on October 13.
Up next: Blue (0-3) vs Concord Academy on October 21
Gold (0-1-2) at Shore Country Day School on October 21
CROSS-COUNTRY
Fenn Cross Country participated in the Park School Invitational on October 13. Fenn placed 11th overall in the 20-team event. Roxbury Latin took top honors in the event in which 300 boys and girls participated. The meet is open to runners in 8th grade and under. Fenn was represented by a team of 6th graders, including Connor Soukup, Bobby Skrivanek, Vivan Das, Sam Lyons, Luke LoPresti, Avery Feather, Harrison Wei, and Connor Kelly.
Up next: vs Hillside, LCA, Pike, Milton, and Shady Hill on October 21
FOOTBALL
Fenn dropped a close 30-26 decision to Dexter School on October 13 at Reynolds Field.
Nate Crozier caught two touchdown receptions for Fenn, and also did a great job on defense at linebacker. Eddie Jelin played a strong game at running back and defensive back.
Up Next: Fenn (1-2) @ Fessenden School on October 21