The boys varsity soccer team has prevailed over their opponents and have been up to the challenge so far this season. With playoff hopes, the team has been scoring points in nearly all of their matches.
Throughout the month of October, the Wyverns boasted an impressive 3-2-1 record. The team picked up major wins against Westminster School and also against Kent School. They
defeated Westminster 2-1 on their field and defeated Kent 4-0 defending Outlook. “One of our strengths is that we work hard day in and day out,” junior defender Scotty Cloud said. “This always shows in our games and helps us get the results we want.”
Many members of this year’s boys varsity soccer team have improved and contributed greatly to the team so far. “Lots of the young players have stepped up for us this season,” Head Coach Hikmet Aslan said. “Sophomore midfielder Brandon Tavares and freshmen defender Tyler Bergquist have been fantastic for us this season, along with sophomore midfielder Pratt Blair and sophomore midfielder Max Daigle.”
Along with the young players, the seniors have stepped up in big ways for the team this season. “Senior midfielder [Co-captain] Sam Cote and senior midfielder Ardit Zhuta have been amazing for us this season,” Coach Aslan said. “Another key to our team is our senior goalie Will Slayton. He has been fantastic for us this season, having four clean sheets so far this year.”
In the Wyverns’ most recent game, Cloud made some impressive plays. The squad was down 1-0 against Fredrick Gunn school when Cloud buried the equalizer and earned KO an important tie to keep their playoff hopes alive. “That feeling of scoring the game-tying goal is always rewarding,” Cloud said. “That was definitely one of the highlights from this season so far.”
Heading into the final stretch of the season, the team has many challenging games that will play a key role in their chances of making the playoffs. The Wyverns face Choate, Avon Old Farms, Hopkins, Williston Northampton, and Dexter Southfield over the course of three weeks. “The remainder of our schedule is difficult,” Coach Aslan said. “We must continue to train and work hard in practice. This way we are ready for the challenging road ahead of us.”
Facing these Class A opponents is going to be an uphill battle for the Wyverns, but these games will help them down the road, especially when it comes time for playoffs. If KO can find ways to draw results against these difficult opponents, they will see themselves playing in the 2023 NEPSAC Class B playoffs. “We made the playoffs last year, and it was a big step for the program here at KO,” Coach Aslan said. “Unfortunately we lost to Brooks in the first round; however, the team this year has the ability to do something special.”
As fall sports wind down, look for the boys varsity soccer team making a strong final push for the playoffs this season. The team will undoubtedly fight until the last whistle in every game and will make sure to continue to work hard so that they can accomplish their goals for the season. Stay tuned for the Wyverns results in their upcoming games as they take on Wilbraham and Monson and Cheshire Academy.
