Deerfield’s 2023 Boys Junior A soccer team launched their season with a rousing win against Eagle Hill School on a sunny afternoon on the Lower Fields. Deerfield controlled possession for most of the first half but couldn’t break through against a plucky defensive line and a skilled keeper until returner Victor Kibuuka ’26 dribbled through the defensive backs to get the team on the board in the 31st minute. He then quickly knocked in another a minute later to send DA into halftime up 2-0. The offense found its groove from there and tacked on goals quickly in the second half from a broad roster of contributors. Sophomore Nick Smiarowski scored at 39’ from outside the eighteen, before captain Luka Kokosadze ’25 bent a ball just inside the left post a minute later. Then Smiarowski scored again with a header off a corner kick. Rookie Michael Hioe ’27 shocked the bench with a successful deep shot from the fullback position. Then fellow first-year Jack Webb, playing holding midfielder, made it 7-0 Deerfield. Attacking middie Jack Zhunio ’27 tacked on another when he broke through Eagle Hill’s back line. And returner Tommy Govi ’26 capped the scoring with a curling shot that threaded through a clump of defenders. The team celebrated the steady play of rookie keeper Jerry Du ’27, who made a couple excellent saves, including on a penalty shot that would have given Eagle Hill the lead. Deerfield looks forward to continuing to learn how to play together this week before they welcome Taft to campus on Saturday.