On October 30th, the boys junior B soccer team hosted Phillips Academy Andover for a 1:30 match on the lower fields. The match against PAA has been canceled for three years in a row because of rain and, including a year off for the pandemic, the teams haven’t played since a 3-1 PAA victory on October 29th, 2016. The day was cool and rainy, but the heavy rain held off long enough for a hard-fought 2-1 PAA victory, to drop Deerfield’s record to 2-4-1 on the season. In addition to the large gap since the last match, the fact that Joe Berman ’25 had a twin brother playing for PAA added to the intrigue. With players from both teams sliding all over the wet field, PAA earned a penalty kick in the 9th minute with an opportunity to break the scoreless tie. As the keeper, Berman faced his twin brother taking the PK from the spot and was unable to keep the ball out of the back of the net, giving PAA a 1-0 lead. Despite the treacherous conditions, both keepers played well for the remainder of the half and the score stayed the same at half-time. After sweeper RJ Radonis ’25 was forced off the pitch briefly due to an injury, PAA doubled their lead in the 14th minute of the 2nd half, despite solid play from keeper Finn Knight ’25. Deerfield continued to attack, but was kept at bay until the waning moments of the match, when Harry Church ’24 headed in a rebound in the 34th minute to cut the lead in half at 2-1. Deerfield had another chance or two, but ran out of time, and the match ended 2-1 in favor of the visitors. The boys junior B soccer team will be back in action on Wednesday, November 3rd, looking to avenge a season-opening loss to the Bement School at 3 pm on the road.