ETHS Boys Soccer lost 2-0 on Thursday Night to New Trier at home. The intense rivalry between ETHS and New Trier runs especially deep in boys’ soccer, as the winner claims the infamous fire hydrant. Despite the Kits’ eagerness to keep hold of this hydrant, the team was unable to walk away with a victory.
“I love the effort. We don’t like to lose to our neighbors, but the effort in the first half showed that they can play. They are reaching their expectations. Our record does not show what we are,” remarked head coach Franz Calixte.
The Kits’ young team came out fired up. Within 15 minutes of the game, junior James Nicolaou scored a goal from the 30-yard line on a free kick. Despite the team’s celebration, the goal was quickly taken away due to the obstruction of New Trier keeper, senior Luke Hales. The Kits had the lion’s share of possession early, but the Trevians were quick to capitalize on their first opportunity. Junior goalkeeper Ben Matsa stopped New Trier’s first shot but failed to block the rebound, resulting in senior Tim Vaughan giving the Trevians the lead. Senior captain John Isaac held the defense together, keeping the Trevians from a bigger lead. With only one minute left in the first half, the Kits got a corner kick. Junior Noah Thomas served the ball into the box, and senior captain Louis Dush-Hart put the ball in the back of the net again. Once again, this goal was taken away from the Kits because of goalie obstruction, leaving them down 1-0 at halftime.
“First half, we had energy, we had the will to win, and we knew what we were up against,” said Isaac.
At the start of the second half, the Kits started getting frantic, losing the strong possession they had in the first half. The Trevians took over the game with the confidence of being a goal up.
“They were at our home, and they had something to prove by not having the hydrant from last year,” commented Isaac. “At times, they played harder than us and were more physical.”
With 23 minutes left in the second half, senior center back Gosha Syganevich fouled New Trier’s forward in the box, giving up a penalty kick. Senior captain Calyx Hoover converted the spot kick to double the Trevians’ advantage. The game ultimately fell out of reach, and the Kits no longer had any momentum.
Although the game technically ended scoreless for the Kits, it was an even match between the two teams. Despite such a young group of players, Evanston showed up ready to play.
“This game showed me that we could make a run in the playoffs, and we can do alright this year,” said Calixte. “We missed some goals, got two taken away, but we had opportunities. Things are falling into place.”
