By Jack Hance ‘17

Chaminade’s varsity soccer team has become a powerhouse in the past two seasons, as evidenced by an undefeated league record during their 2014 campaign and a state championship victory in the 2015 season.  Entering this season, the team had earned the number seven national ranking from the National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America, and is ranked number one among boys’ soccer teams in New York.  

When the Flyers took the field at Gold Star Stadium on Tuesday, September 20 against Kellenberg Memorial in an Marianist showdown, the team’s status as the most dominant team in the NSCHSAA were placed on the line.  The squad did not falter, and won their home opener 5-1 in a strong showing.

The Flyers wasted little time after the kickoff.  Tim de Meij ’18 was the first to earn his place on the score sheet after scoring off of a rebound from a thundering strike from Alec Brutchin ’17 within the first two minutes.  

Both teams then struggled to keep the ball, until Kevin Lynch ’18 acquired an expertly placed aerial through-ball played by de Meij.  Lynch dribbled past the goalkeeper and slotted the ball in at the 24th minute.  Shortly thereafter, Kellenberg scored a long-range goal on a tremendous strike from midfield that just beat the outstretched hands of Yanni Rigos ’17 to cut Chaminade’s lead in half.  Not dismayed, the Flyers immediately scored again, as de Meij cut through the Kellenberg defense to chip the ball past the Firebird goalie, and restore the two goal advantage in the 30th minute.  

The Flyers held onto their lead to close out the first half.  Chaminade would score two more goals after the break, as Tim Davis ’17 and Brendan Slattery ’19 found the back of the net, to defeat the Firebirds of Kellenberg by a score of 5-1 and extend their undefeated league run another game.

The Flyers then travelled to the Delbarton School in Morristown, New Jersey this past weekend to face the Green Wave on the their own turf.  Delbarton entered the match ranked number four in the nation.  Using the momentum from their most recent victory against Kellenberg, the Flyers defeated their opponents 2-1.  Goals were scored by Tim Davis ’17 and John Murphy ’18.

Forward Matt Tomlinson ‘17 said, “We played a great game against a strong opponent, and we hope to keep our play at this high level through our game with St. Anthony’s on Tuesday.”

As alluded to by Tomlinson, the Flyers’ varsity soccer team will take on their archrival, the Friars of St. Anthony, at Gold Star Stadium today, September 27 in a rematch of last year’s NSCHSAA Championship, from which Chaminade emerged victorious.  

When the age old St. Anthony’s rivalry is resumed on Chaminade turf, a strong Flyers unit will enter having defeated the forces of Kellenberg and Delbarton, prepared for a familiar foe.