Heritage varsity boys soccer defeated Olympic Heights 2-0 last Monday night. Although the game started out slow, the Patriots were able to make a comeback back in the second half of the game.
The first half was primarily a defensive game with great kickbacks, saves and guarding. Numbers 2, senior Leonid Levitan, 25, sophomore Andrew Pavlov and 23 held a strong defense, successfully keeping the ball from reaching the net. Unfortunately, neither side had any action for the whole 40 minutes.
After encouraging words from their coach and a new game plan, the Patriots scored the first goal of the game in the 67th minute. The goal, although set up by numbers 7, senior Jason Ebanks and 11, senior Chase Perry, was scored by number 10, who donned golden colored shoes. As he scored, the crowd erupted into cheers, with the announcer shouting, “It’s the shoes, definitely the shoes.”
The first goal was then followed by another one from number 10, this time with number 14, sophomore Gianluigi Gonzalez, grabbing the assist. Although the two goals put Heritage in the lead, number 8, senior Andre Vartan, got injured and had to be taken off the field. There wasn’t any information announced on his injury. However, the Patriots did not relent and they were determined to not let their opponents score any goals, continuing their strong defense.
In the end, the game closed with the Patriots winning 2-0.
Sophomore Talia Simon, who watched the game from the sidelines, found it to be a very efficient game. “It was a very well played game with many outstanding highlights from players such as number 7 senior Jason Ebanks and number 15 junior Matteo Figueiredo,” she said. The game’s atmosphere was especially warm as the front rows were filled with alumnis. After entering out of the field, the players were met with their friends and their family members, who were waiting with open arms.
