Deerfield Academy Junior A Boys Soccer lost a challenging match against a very strong Hotchkiss team on Saturday afternoon, 0 – 1. Strong play throughout the match from the DA defense, particularly that of Alex Strait ’20, Ben King ’22, Teddy Donahue ’21 and keeper Crawford Rice ’21, kept Deerfield in it the entire match. King and Eric Wang ’21 connected on a long through ball from the DA backfield, using good ball movement to push the Hotchkiss defense. Wang gained an advantage in the right corner, crossed it, and King sent a long rifle just barely saved by the Hotchkiss keeper. Hotchkiss recovered with a counterattack of their own, looking for their speedy forwards. A low shot from the Hotchkiss breakaway was turned away by Rice, who saved many balls over the course of the game. Nasir Barnes ’21 found himself in open space near the half field line, and put the ball in the air for a long pass to forward Sam Lauer ’20. A quick touch from Lauer to Tomás Cushman ’22 led to a lefty shot from Cushman, blocked by the Hotchkiss goalie in a fantastic save. Additional opportunities created by midfielder Connor Olsen ’22 and Elliot Flagg ’20 were nevertheless for nought, as DA entered the half at a 0 – 0 tie. After the break, Hotchkiss came out strong and pushed the ball through on a breakaway, with one quick touch past the DA backline and an outstretched Rice’s fingers to give Hotchkiss a one goal lead they would hold on to for the remainder of the game. Nevertheless, Flagg and Lauer both created chances for a DA goal, sending crosses from the corner deep into the box to forwards Noah Depp ’21 and Gale Gai ’22. Deerfield dominated possession for most of the second half, staying in the Hotchkiss side and moving the ball well. However, Hotchkiss packed their side of the field and ultimately prevented any Deerfield shots from finding the net. Our boys played together all game though, walking away with their heads held high.