After a solid performance from the Falcons last season, with them making it to the State Tournament, they have high expectations for the new season.
“We have a very good group of players on the team and I feel like we could go far this season,” sophomore forward Jakub Porada said. “We’re going to try to win states. Coach always says that he believes that we can win states, we just need the confidence for us to get there,” he continued.
The Falcons have had their share of ups and downs, with a record of 4-2-3. They are currently ranked third in the Potomac Soccer Standings, behind Riverside and Independence, in first and second, respectively.
The Falcons went up against the Stone Bridge Bulldogs on Thursday, Apr. 11, defeating them 2-0. The first half was slow for both teams, with neither side scoring any goals. Coming out of half-time, the Falcons picked up the pace, with senior defender Luis Collantes Gasco and senior forward Abdul Ahmed each scoring a goal, with the latter coming off of a penalty kick. Consistent throughout the game, senior goalie Dylan Ott proved to be a challenge for the Bulldogs, logging eight saves on the way to helping the Falcons to a shutout victory.
Junior midfielder Eyu Abuhay comments on the game against Stone Bridge, saying, “we just worked as a team. We have passion and chemistry and those things came together for us to win [that game].”
On Monday, Apr. 15, the Briar Woods Falcons beat the Potomac Falls Panthers 6-2. The Falcons dominated in the first half by scoring six goals, two each from Jakub Porada and Eyu Abuhay, giving them a comfortable lead going into half-time. Strong passing from Porada, Abuhay and Abdul Ahmed, along with assists from senior midfielder Jake Hardy and Abuhay sparked a relentless offense. In the second half, Briar Woods was unable to maintain the same intensity, which allowed the Panthers breathing room to improve their passing on their way to scoring two quick goals. Even though the Falcons were held scoreless for the second half, the Panthers did not score any more for the rest of the game. Briar Woods came away with the win, ending the game with a score of 6-2.
Reflecting on the game against Potomac Falls, Porada comments, “in the first half, we played very well. At half-time, we were winning 6-0, but in the second half, we kind of took our foot off the gas, and we lost some momentum and let the other team score two goals, and we can’t let that happen. We won that game, but if we play against better teams, we have to be at 100 percent the whole game because if we aren’t, we can lose a game like that.”
Abuhay shares his thoughts on the rest of the season, adding, “we’re all like a family and we have good chemistry, so we’re more comfortable with each other and we trust each other, and that’s going to help us throughout [the season]. Almost all games we’ve won [this season], and we have a game coming up against Lightridge, so hopefully we can win that one too.”
The boys’ next game will take place at Lightridge on Wednesday, Apr. 17 at 7:15 pm. Make sure to come out and support your Briar Woods Falcons!
