by Chase Sondike ‘26 & Ryan Lichter ‘27

Senior Nick Kindred looks to pass the ball up field.

The Sherwood boys’ soccer team has started off the season looking shaky. The team is sitting on a 1-2 record currently after convincingly beating Paint Branch 4-1. The team was well on their way to get their first win of the season prior to the Paint Branch game when they faced off against Springbrook on September 16, leading 4-0 at halftime; however, the game was postponed due to heavy rain. The second half of the game will be played at a later date. The Warriors suffered an overtime loss in the first game of the year against a stacked Richard Montgomery roster, 2-1, and then lost in their home opener to a talented Clarksburg team, 2-0. 

The team looks to make adjustments this season after losing a good number of contributing seniors from last year’s team. “Although yes, we lost a few key seniors last year, many younger guys have done well to step up in the roles that we have lost,” said Junior Captain Tate Atanda. These key young players will be able to make the big step and fill the lost spots, and can possibly propel the team further. Atanda is the centerpiece that holds the backline together on defense, leading the team both with his stellar play and his vocal leadership as a captain. 

“We prepare for upcoming games by identifying the other team’s strengths and weaknesses and how we will attack them,” said Atanda. “Our team watches films to understand where we must improve upon moving forward.” 

The team had a much-needed first half against Springbrook and looks ready to start stringing wins together after coming out on top against Paint Branch, ultimately gaining momentum for the playoffs. They face off against Gaithersburg at home next Monday. 

Going into each game, it is essential for the team to get into the right mindset. “My mindset going into each game is to be better than the person you’re going against,” said Senior Right Back Adam Levy. The other team is going to have the same goal of winning the game. Winning the individual battles is what the team looks to focus on to start seeing more progress. “In soccer, you’re pretty much matched up one-on-one with someone,” explained Levy. ”If you win your individual battle and everyone on your team wins theirs, it’s an easy key to success.”