Waldorf’s Varsity Boys Soccer Team played host to the Portledge School on Wednesday, October 3rd and won by a final score of 04-01. Waldorf improved its IPPSAL league record to 4 wins, 2 losses, and 1 tie for a total of 13 points. Waldorf now maintains sole posession of third place in the IPPSAL league.

Said Coach LeSueur, “Waldorf needed to come out firing on all cylinders as we needed to maintain the opportunity to maintain a spot in the IPPSAL playoffs. We put immediate pressure on Portledge’s defense and we had them on their heels early forcing them to concede several throw-ins.

Using the power and strength of senior co-captain Orin Pearce on his long throw-ins, Waldorf was able to force a scramble in front of the Portledge goal and freshman midfielder Max Sapuppo once again found the back of the net.

Even though Waldolf kept constant pressure and served up numerous chances the score, the score remained 01-00 through the first half. Portledge executed some excellent counter attacks and had it not been for some heroic well timed challenges by junior sweeper Ho Sub Kim, Waldorf could have found themselves even in the score book.

Coach LeSueur, still searching for the “right chemistry”, used this match to give some other players an opportunity to showcase their skills and knowledge. Most notably, freshman goal keeper William Strauss got his first IPPSAL start and proved his worth throughout the match. On the wet and slippery field, he handled numerous attacks with excellent composure and determination. The goal keeping switch allowed Waldorf to use senior Max Novick (the team’s regular starting goal keeper) in the field. The switch paid off as Novick was asked to go into the game amd help lock down the left side of the field in the left-fullback position. Senior Cody Bach added some punch, especially in the second half, to the left side midfield; winning every air ball and challenge that came his way. Cool, calm and collected, junior Sam Resnick was back in the line-up and added to the defensive back wall.

Waldorf couldn’t take full advantage until 15 minutes into the second half. That’s when junior co-captain Peter Escribano was finally rewarded when he made a fine goal low and hard into the opposite corner from inside the opponent’s penalty box. Senior co-captain and striker Orin Pearce used his quickness off of a corner kick from classmate Cody Bach that was flicked to him by freshman Max Sapuppo. Waldorf was up three goals to none.

Waldorf was suddenly brought back to reality after a nice outlet pass to the right wing. Portledge struck a rising ball into the right upper portion of our goal keeper William Strauss, setting the score 03-01.

Coach LeSueur, at this point, removed his starting strikers to give an opportunity to three of Waldorf’s younger strikers. With about five minutes left to play, Bach’s throw-in found sophomore forward Michael Gray who – with his back to goal – played the ball across Portledge’s defensive line. The ball got deflected up in the air and freshmen Sage Choi rose up to head the ball into the back of the Portledge net, 04-01.