The Deerfield Boys Junior A soccer team, which booked a one-loss season last year, picked up right where it left off with a victory in their season opener against the Taft School on a beautiful afternoon in Watertown, Connecticut, on Saturday. Forward Tai Feng ’26 put the team up with a goal before the 10-minute mark. But with only three returners on the squad, Deerfield struggled to find its rhythm as it adjusted to game speed and a strong Taft attack. But insightful analysis from teammates in the halftime huddle refocused the group and even though Deerfield fell behind early in the second half, the team’s passing and decision-making looked sharper with each drive. Victor Kibuuka ’26 stepped into the striker role and promptly tied the game. Then Bryan Gianvecchio ’26, playing attacking midfielder, scored the game-winning goal off a strong corner from indefatigable Junior A veteran James Kurto ’25. With each goal scored by a different ninth-grade DA player, the future of the program is bright. Defensive accolades go to captain Matt Dillon ’23 for his 80 steadying minutes at center-back, keeper Leo Ma ’25 for his solid debut in the program, and jack-of-all-trades Finn Knight ’25—himself an accomplished keeper—who gamely and skillfully played five different field positions on a day the team was forced to travel without eight members of its roster. The club eagerly awaits its home debut against Loomis on Wednesday.