On a hot early October afternoon in the Lowers, the Deerfield Boys Thirds soccer team extended its undefeated season by beating NMH for the first time in five years. While DA never trailed in the game, it was a nail-biter, as NMH picked up their intensity dramatically after a slow first few minutes and put pressure on the Deerfield defense throughout the game. Striker Winston Cho got the scoring started early with a goal from close range, and his sub, fellow sophomore Alexander Rolfe, put DA up 2-0 with one of his now-signature sliding shots from inside the goal box. In the second half, what would end up being the deciding goal began with a spectacular run and cross from attacking midfielder Aaron Gibbons, finished perfectly by left wing Jack Willett, seconds after he entered the game. In a contest that required Deerfield to play solid defense, the team’s reliable core in the backfield was improved by some improved play from its young holding midfielders: Jason Bannerman ’24 made some key stops under pressure; MacGregor Hynds ’25 used his speed and keen soccer sense to anticipate the opposition’s next move; and Alex Ayres ’24 brough the same increased intensity he wowed his teammates with at practice yesterday. The squad hits the road Sunday to take on Wilbraham & Monson.