VARSITY SOCCER
Undefeated and unwavering, Fenn’s varsity soccer team capped off an amazing season on November 5 by claiming the championship of the 43rd Annual New England Junior Private School Soccer Tournament. The prestigious 12-team tournament, held at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, featured five 25-minute games before the finals. This year, Fenn went undefeated and did not allow any goals against throughout the tournament. The blue-and-gold shutout Cardigan Mountain School, Rectory School, Hillside School, Eaglebrook School, and Shore Country Day School in the opening rounds. In the championship, Fenn defeated Fessenden School, 2-0, to win the tournament title for the second time in five years. Degefe McCracken-Bradley registered both goals in the title game. All total, McCracken-Bradley collected seven goals in the tournament.
Fenn goalies Riley Gustafson and Peter Nelson were outstanding between the pipes, but they had tremendous help from their defense.
"Ben Carbeau and Sam Barton were excellent on defense," said Coach Jason Rude. "Another huge contributor was Will Dean. Hans Toulmin and Duncan MacKenzie were also solid defenders shutting the other teams down. And we relied on the excellent leadership of our co-captains Kyle Roshankish and Ben Carbeau."
Yet while the individual efforts are to be commended, the success this season came down to a team concept.
"This year’s team was outstanding. We really played a possession game, a lot of passing, a lot of patience," explained Rude. "We made it hard on other teams because we always had good possession time. And our players were willing to accept roles. Like Gray Hussey, who usually plays upfront and we had him play midfield in the tournament. The players were very selfless, very willing to accept the roles given to them. They played well as a unit and supported each other. They respected other teams."
And other teams respected Fenn in return. Fessenden coach Mark Hansen told Rude, "Fenn is a real powerhouse.:
Additionally, at the post-tourney awards ceremony, Eaglebrook Athletic Director Luke Williams told Fenn coaches, "Fenn won with class," acknowledging the team easily could have taken home the sportsmanship award, as well as the championship.
Great soccer, great sportsmanship. This one goes down as one of the best varsity soccer seasons in Fenn history: the New England Junior Private School Championship, a 10-0-1 season with just three goals scored against. It is one for the history books.
JV SOCCER
Wednesday, 11/2
Home vs. Solomon Schechter
Fenn 4 - SS 1
Fenn's JV Soccer team earned a fair 4-1 victory, and perhaps caught a break as well, when Solomon Schechter arrived both late and undermanned for the November 2 match in Concord. Missing nearly half a dozen influential starters and also fatigued by an unexpectedly long bus ride, Schechter struggled to sustain traction against the Blue & Gold.
Two early goals whetted Fenn's appetite. Ben LaPlante sent Jacob Chui in alone with a deftly weighted pass that split Schechter's central defenders, and Chui finished with confidence in the fifth minute. Captain Ethan Mullen gathered a weak Schechter goal kick at the eighteen yard line three minutes later and spanked a strong one-hopper inside the near post for a 2-0 lead. The margin may have come too easily, as subsequent opportunities arose frequently for Fenn but were not converted reliably.
Devon Brandon notched another tally midway through the first half, taking a fast throw-in from Jesse Fernandez near the end line, dribbling to the edge of the goal area and roofing a sharp shot to the near upper corner. A handful of Schechter's boys had the skills to piece together occasional counterattacks, one of which reached Fenn's doorstep at 27 minutes. The shot bounced along the goal line and caromed in when the defensive clearance was misdirected, tightening the score to 3-1 at the interval.
LaPlante punched in an insurance goal for Fenn in the second half, controlling a fine serve from Harry Bertos and maneuvering around a defender for a breakaway strike. The run of play continued to favor Fenn in the last twenty minutes, yet a number of promising advances fizzled in the final third of the field as ball handlers chose dribbling over passing, and the 4-1 margin did not widen.
Thursday, 11/3
Home vs. Shady Hill School
SH 2 - Fenn 1
Shady Hill's capable varsity soccer squad came out gunning against Fenn's JV boys on November 3, and their fast start proved decisive. A powerful long-range shot in the fourth minute rebounded to an unmarked SHS striker for an easy opening goal, and the first ten minutes of the match were nearly all Shady's.
As Fenn acclimatized to their visitors' intimidating pace and confidence, two-way play began to emerge, yet the brisk tempo continued to challenge the Blue & Gold. In due time they fashioned four or five good looks at the goal, but without reward; all of the finishing touches were hurried or off the mark. Four minutes before halftime, Shady Hill earned another well-deserved goal with a fine passing sequence and a strong shot from 20 yards.
During the break, Fenn talked about heart and hustle, two-touch ball handling, and mental discipline -- don't count yourself out against a strong opponent! The second half opened with bang-bang action in both directions. Jacob Chui outran a Shady Hill defender for a high-speed breakaway goal at 34 minutes, halving Fenn's deficit with plenty of working time on the clock. Defenders Izak Murphy, Calvin Martindale and Ethan Beagle turned in yeomen's shifts against Shady's fast, skilled attackers, keeping the match within reach throughout the half while Fenn tried to track down a tying goal. Yet, the clean shooting chances did not materialize, and Shady Hill headed back to Cambridge with a 2-1 victory.
Friday, 11/4
Away to Pike
Pike 8 - Fenn 1
Pike School's experienced, well-trained varsity team dispatched Fenn's JV side easily in Andover on November 4, moving the ball at will and shooting from near and far. With clear advantages in technical skill and tactical awareness, Pike scored four goals in each half, while Fenn replied just once. The 8-1 loss was Fenn's third of the season; they also have won eight times and drawn once.
Though overmatched, the Blue & Gold played a spunky match in Andover. Captain Ethan Mullen, Jesse Fernandez and Harry Bertos deserve particular credit for their determination in midfield, and Ben LaPlante played a strong first half at striker before exiting after a hard (and clean) collision with a big Pike defender. Izak Murphy claimed Fenn's lone goal, rocketing a penalty kick past the Pike goalie after Nico Martinez was fouled in the box.
Fenn closed its 2016 term with a 3-1 home loss to Noble & Greenough on November 9. The team finished the season with an 8-4-1 record.
Home vs. Solomon Schechter
Fenn 4 - SS 1
Fenn's JV Soccer team earned a fair 4-1 victory, and perhaps caught a break as well, when Solomon Schechter arrived both late and undermanned for the November 2 match in Concord. Missing nearly half a dozen influential starters and also fatigued by an unexpectedly long bus ride, Schechter struggled to sustain traction against the Blue & Gold.
Two early goals whetted Fenn's appetite. Ben LaPlante sent Jacob Chui in alone with a deftly weighted pass that split Schechter's central defenders, and Chui finished with confidence in the fifth minute. Captain Ethan Mullen gathered a weak Schechter goal kick at the eighteen yard line three minutes later and spanked a strong one-hopper inside the near post for a 2-0 lead. The margin may have come too easily, as subsequent opportunities arose frequently for Fenn but were not converted reliably.
Devon Brandon notched another tally midway through the first half, taking a fast throw-in from Jesse Fernandez near the end line, dribbling to the edge of the goal area and roofing a sharp shot to the near upper corner. A handful of Schechter's boys had the skills to piece together occasional counterattacks, one of which reached Fenn's doorstep at 27 minutes. The shot bounced along the goal line and caromed in when the defensive clearance was misdirected, tightening the score to 3-1 at the interval.
LaPlante punched in an insurance goal for Fenn in the second half, controlling a fine serve from Harry Bertos and maneuvering around a defender for a breakaway strike. The run of play continued to favor Fenn in the last twenty minutes, yet a number of promising advances fizzled in the final third of the field as ball handlers chose dribbling over passing, and the 4-1 margin did not widen.
Thursday, 11/3
Home vs. Shady Hill School
SH 2 - Fenn 1
Shady Hill's capable varsity soccer squad came out gunning against Fenn's JV boys on November 3, and their fast start proved decisive. A powerful long-range shot in the fourth minute rebounded to an unmarked SHS striker for an easy opening goal, and the first ten minutes of the match were nearly all Shady's.
As Fenn acclimatized to their visitors' intimidating pace and confidence, two-way play began to emerge, yet the brisk tempo continued to challenge the Blue & Gold. In due time they fashioned four or five good looks at the goal, but without reward; all of the finishing touches were hurried or off the mark. Four minutes before halftime, Shady Hill earned another well-deserved goal with a fine passing sequence and a strong shot from 20 yards.
During the break, Fenn talked about heart and hustle, two-touch ball handling, and mental discipline -- don't count yourself out against a strong opponent! The second half opened with bang-bang action in both directions. Jacob Chui outran a Shady Hill defender for a high-speed breakaway goal at 34 minutes, halving Fenn's deficit with plenty of working time on the clock. Defenders Izak Murphy, Calvin Martindale and Ethan Beagle turned in yeomen's shifts against Shady's fast, skilled attackers, keeping the match within reach throughout the half while Fenn tried to track down a tying goal. Yet, the clean shooting chances did not materialize, and Shady Hill headed back to Cambridge with a 2-1 victory.
Friday, 11/4
Away to Pike
Pike 8 - Fenn 1
Pike School's experienced, well-trained varsity team dispatched Fenn's JV side easily in Andover on November 4, moving the ball at will and shooting from near and far. With clear advantages in technical skill and tactical awareness, Pike scored four goals in each half, while Fenn replied just once. The 8-1 loss was Fenn's third of the season; they also have won eight times and drawn once.
Though overmatched, the Blue & Gold played a spunky match in Andover. Captain Ethan Mullen, Jesse Fernandez and Harry Bertos deserve particular credit for their determination in midfield, and Ben LaPlante played a strong first half at striker before exiting after a hard (and clean) collision with a big Pike defender. Izak Murphy claimed Fenn's lone goal, rocketing a penalty kick past the Pike goalie after Nico Martinez was fouled in the box.
Fenn closed its 2016 term with a 3-1 home loss to Noble & Greenough on November 9. The team finished the season with an 8-4-1 record.
THIRDS SOCCER
The Thirds Blue team suffered a tough 1-0 loss at Pike School on November 4, but rebounded to the win column quickly, as the Blue shutout Carroll School, 6-0, on November 7. The Thirds Blue team finished the season with a 2-3-3 record.
"This was a team that believed in their ability to form a strong team based on their faith in each other," said Coach Tete Cobblah. "They understood that positivity led to success and satisfaction."
The Thirds Gold team played its season finale on November 7 versus Jewish Country Day School. Despite the 5-0 loss, Coach Derek Cribb said his team played well and he credited Arthur Goncalves with playing a great game on defense. The Thirds Gold team was 3-4-1 on the season.
The Gold team took on the Blue team in a good spirited intramural game on November 9. All in fun and for bragging rights, the Blue team shutout the Gold team, 4-0.
CROSS COUNTRY
Fenn’s cross country team raced by Park School (23-34) on November 4 in Brookline. Fenn’s Tyler McGarry, Nathan Soukup, Aroon Sankoh, and Lucas Garay were the top four finishers.
Fenn closed the chapter on the season at the Roxbury Latin Jamboree on November 9. Fifteen teams comprised of 122 runners competed on the West Roxbury course. Just seven seconds separated Fenn’s Tyler McGarry and Aroon Sankoh, who were neck-and-neck in the 8th and 9th place finishing positions. Both McGarry and Sankoh were medal winners. Nathan Soukup came in 18th and Lucas Garay was 30th. Other Fenn finishers were Connor Soukup (43rd), Daniel Wang (60th), Sammy Agrawal (77th), Merlin Feist (95th), Brad Kelly (101st), and Tyler Bowden (106th). As a team, Fenn (104) finished in fourth place behind host Roxbury Latin (41), Hillside School (56), and St. Sebastian’s (95).
"I am very proud of those boys. They had an outstanding season," said Coach David Duane. "They brought strong commitment and a sense of purpose and fun to each practice and competition. Well done, boys!"
FOOTBALL
Fenn edged Fay School, 14-12, on the gridiron in Southborough on November 4. Eoin Morrissey starred in the game, with a punt return for a touchdown, a touchdown reception, as well as an interception. Fenn swept the season series with Fay, winning both games this season.
Back at it on November 9, Fenn hosted a physical Rivers School squad in the season finale. Fenn dropped a 22-8 decision in a game shortened due to darkness. Nate Crozier had a touchdown reception for Fenn, while Eddie Jelin is credited with playing a great game on defense and on offense, running the ball. Fenn finished the season with a 2-4-1 record.
"Overall, we are very proud of how the boys played throughout the season," said Coach Frankie Crowley. "Although our final record was not where we hoped it would be, our boys were tough all season, never backing down from a fight against several bigger and stronger teams."