Boys soccer looks unstoppable on the heels of a eight-match win streak as of October 15, casting aside early season doubts following an 0-2 start. The Warriors, with a 8-2 record through October 20, have fought relentlessly and showed fearless determination for each and every win, including two improbable overtime victories vs. Paint Branch and Quince Orchard.

The season did not start off well for Sherwood, dropping the first two games by one goal, including losing in an overtime heartbreaker against Richard Montgomery. ¨Last year and the year before our team started off slow and then made deep runs into the playoffs, and we plan to make the same progress this year,¨ said senior captain Tate Atanda.

Last year’s squad made it all the way to the state semi-finals, and the signs are there for another deep run in the playoffs. The second loss clearly lit a fire under the guys, as they´ve gone on to earn decisive victories against some of Montgomery County’s best en route to winning the east division with a perfect 5-0 record.

The main catalyst for the team’s success has no doubt been the suffocating defensive unit, led by senior fullback Luca Perez and junior goalkeeper Whitt Robinson. The backline’s talent was put on full display during their match at Quince Orchard, where Robinson held up a clean sheet with a masterful 12 saves, supported by intricate tackles from senior captain Perez. Through the first eight games, the defense has given up only 1.25 goals per match, and with a favorable remaining schedule, that number should continue to go down.

While the defense’s dominance is apparent, the offense provides a balanced attack with options. There is not exactly one player who stands out. However, the unit as a collective has displayed a level of clutchness to find the back of the net when it matters most. Their 2.6 goals per game is an improvement from last year’s 2.1 average, with many of their goals coming in the waning minutes of matches. Midfielders have dominated the attack, with seniors Mateo Doldan and Jeremy Petrash being forces to be reckoned with across the entire field; sneaking in a perfect through pass behind the defense while also scoring important goals in key situations.

The Warriors’ winning performance is a reflection of a team that is playing confidently with intensity but not stress.  “The standard I have set for how we play is to play hard, have fun, and focus on playing in the present and trusting your teammates,” said Coach Paul Homan. This mindset clearly works. Plenty of Sherwood opponents suffer self-inflicted wounds from miscommunication and frustration, while the Warriors’ strong team chemistry and clear communication gives them a mental edge. This was full display in the Blake match a few weeks back when the Warriors handily won 4-1.

With only one match to go in the regular season and playoffs looming, Sherwood’s momentum is surging as they sit within the top ten of the MPSSAA 3A standings, according to County Sports Zone. The bracket will be full of great teams from Howard County and Arundel County; however, with the way the Warriors have been playing, a state title is not out of the question.