Fenn Fall Sports Update--October 11, 2016

Nearing the midpoint of the regular season schedule, Fenn’s varsity soccer team boasts an undefeated record and has yet to allow a goal against. Riley Gustafson and Peter Nelson have been stellar in between the pipes, but they’ve also been receiving a lot of help from solid team defense. At Belmont Hill on Friday, October 7, Sam Barton and Hans Toulmin were stalwarts on “D”, allowing barely a shot to get through to the sharp Fenn goalies. Will Dean picked up a pair of goals to lead the offensive charge, while Duncan MacKenzie and Degefe McCracken-Bradley each added single tallies. Fenn shutout Belmont Hill, 4-0, to stretch its undefeated streak to five games. Fenn has outscored opponents 18-0 in the five regular season games.    

Jacob Chui's powerful header from the back post, just five minutes into the match, rocketed past Belmont Hill's goalkeeper and bulged the far-side netting, initiating an intimidating afternoon of attacking soccer for Fenn's JV team on Friday, October 7 in Concord. Chui's assertive finish of Jesse Fernandez's nicely-lofted corner kick closely followed a pair of short corners which Fernandez played cleverly with Tucker Winstanley, forcing Belmont Hill to scramble defensively in the opening minutes.

Within a quarter hour, Fenn's lead jumped to 3-0. Izak Murphy set up the second goal with a free kick struck so firmly that, even from 45 yards, the goalie was forced to parry it. Winstanley pounced instantly on the rebound and finished neatly from close range. Harry Bertos notched the third goal with a weaving dribble across the top of the box and a strong left-footed bomb from 18 yards. He is exceptionally elusive with the ball at his feet and equally disposed to pass or shoot.

Just when a rout seemed likely, however, Belmont Hill replied with two goals in two minutes. The first was earned on a handsome through-ball that launched a breakaway; the second was an open-net tap-in after a defensive lapse. Closing in on halftime, 3-2 looked quite different than 3-0, yet Winstanley reclaimed the momentum for Fenn with a dogged last-minute run through the box that produced his second goal of the afternoon just before the break.

The second half was played at great pace, yet each side managed just one more goal. Billy McCullen punched in a nicely controlled lob at 36 minutes, Belmont Hill converted a penalty kick ten minutes later, and the final score stood at 5-3 for Fenn. Luke First worked a great shift for Fenn at left midfield, chasing lost possession with notable persistence. Up top, Devon Brandon and Ben LaPlante demonstrated much-improved two-touch habits, trapping incoming balls and directing patient passes to teammates in supporting positions. 

 

“Overall, the group is beginning to translate daily training into stronger match play,” said Coach David Sanborn.  “A big test for the developing team looms at Fessenden on Friday.”

 

 

 

 

The Thirds Gold team traveled to Concord Academy on Friday, October 7 to visit some familiar faces.  Fenn Alums Tim First, Erik Abele, Max Boyle and Lucian Sharpe each suit up for CA this year. Despite a stellar game in goal for Ben Croteau, Fenn was shutout by CA, 3-0. Coach Derek Cribb credits captains Jasper Chartener, Charlie Hutchinson and Peter Bazo for playing solid defense in this one, as well as Jake Sanders for good hustle at midfield on an uncharacteristically hot and humid October day.

 

 

 

Fenn continues its strong season in cross-country action.  Fenn traveled to Roxbury Latin on Friday, October 7 and beat St. Sebastian’s, 20-39. Fenn also raced by Lexington Christian Academy, 21-37, but came up short against Roxbury Latin, 19-40.

 

 

 

 

Fenn dropped an 18-0 decision on Friday, October 7 to Noble and Greenough at Reynolds Field. The loss evens Fenn’s record at 1-1 this season.