For its second game in a row, Deerfield was forced to play without any substitutes, but this time the result was different, as the Thirds team put up five goals and a clean sheet against a developing Avon team. Four-year Deerfield soccer veteran Matias Cushman, in his senior game, got the scoring started in the fifth minute with an assist from rookie PJ Pirsch ’28.Pirsch would make his own highlight in the second half, scoring from a gorgeous direct kick just three yards from the touchline and beyond the 18’. The rest of the scoring all came from the foot of striker Owen Fleck ’26, with the captain’s hat trick assisted by Cushman and Pirsch. In a game that required conserving energy when one could, middie Howard Jin ’27 and fullback Ryan Bai ‘26 hustled the whole game as if they had subs on the line waiting to take them out. Rich Zhou ’26, on his birthday, played his characteristically solid defense while helping to direct traffic in the backfield. Deerfield looks forward to getting a couple players back from the injured list as we get ready to head to Easthampton on Saturday to take on Williston’s JV team.