The Boys Varsity Soccer (BVS) program is always one of the most competitive and skilled teams at Concord Academy, and this year is no exception. Following last year’s strong performance that included a second-place finish in the Eastern Independent League and a berth into the NEPSAC tournament, hopes were high for this season. However, several core players graduated from the varsity team, leaving questions about the competitiveness of this year’s team. With the other top league programs from last year also losing several starters, many expected the top of the league to be a close-fought, heavily contested battle. This year, the Boys Varsity Soccer team will play a 16-game schedule which includes 13 all-important league games.
A common thread throughout the team is optimism. Captain Toby Clackson ’24 said, “The talent in our soccer program is immense. The team dynamic is incredible too—the guys are unbelievably passionate with a winning mentality.” On a similar note, Captain Ketan Gardner ’24 explained, “We lost some key players from last season, but many of the guys have truly stepped up, taking on new positions and leadership roles.” Both leaders are essential to the team, and they play the critical role of maintaining long-standing BVS traditions. They anchor a younger squad that has numerous players on the starting lineup for the first time.
The prediction that the league would be a tight competition with no clear leader has certainly come true so far; CA is 4-0-2 to date, but Berwick Academy and the Pingree School are also undefeated, and the Wheeler School’s only loss came at the hands of CA. Despite an initial stretch where CA’s BVS struggled to score, the offense has lately become more successful and scored five goals in the last three games. The defense has been rock-solid all season, pitching four shutouts in seven games. While there is no telling how the rest of the season will play out, CA’s team is as skilled as any and looks positioned to make yet another run toward the NEPSAC tournament this year.