Deerfield got back in the win column at home on Saturday afternoon by playing its best soccer of the season. The team used quick passes and smart upfield runs to defeat the JV squad from Wilbraham & Monson Academy that brought more than two full lines of players. Pacesetting midfielder Shogo O’Connor ’25 helped get the scoring started with a great ball up to striker Victor Kibuuka ’26, whose strong shot deflected off the post and was sent in by crashing left wing Tommy Govi ’26. Govi, to the great delight of the bench, put Deerfield up 2-0 with a beautiful header off an equally beautiful cross from right wing Luka Kokosadze. And Govi nearly had a hat trick but his next shot bounced off a defender only to be returned into the net by middie Xavier Armas ’24, who sent the team into the half up by three. In the second half, the indefatigable James Kurto ’25 as striker dribbled through two lines of defenders and delivered one of his signature high-powered shots, increasing Deerfield’s lead. The fifth goal began with first-year midfielder Bryan Gianvecchio’s gorgeous free kick, which ricocheted off the top bar to a waiting Kokosadze, who made the score. Unflapping defense helped the offense maintain possession, with the only scary moment coming six minutes in, when Wilbraham caught our keeper too far out and field-aware center back Nikhil Lebaka ’24 got to the ball in the nick of time. Deerfield heads on the road to Suffield Academy on Wednesday eager to build on Saturday’s progress.