Deerfield played its home opener on Wednesday, battling the Pelicans to a draw on a cloudy afternoon that threatened rain that never arrived. Our Thirds squad was in control through the first half, keeping the ball on Loomis’s half of the field and leading in shots, five to one. The offense that is still finding its way managed some encouraging attacks through the defensive line and started playing as a unit better. Sixteen minutes into the second half, left wing Henry Mackcrow ’28 played a strong, smart pass out to midfielder PJ Pirsch ’28 outside the 18’ who ticketed it for the upper right corner of the goal, just over the keeper’s reach, tallying Deerfield’s first goal of the 2024 season. Loomis found more holes in the DA defense in the second half, but keeper Jerry Du ’27 kept a clean sheet until the 25th minute, when an unfortunate hand-ball penalty inside the box gave the Pelicans the penalty kick they’d use to tie the game. While Deerfield managed to put together several breakaways and looked poised to regain the lead, one drive was halted by a last man non-call and another by a puzzling offsides ruling. Despite the frustrating outcome, the game showcased many gritty efforts from a Deerfield team that after 80 minutes had only one healthy player on its bench. The coaches were especially grateful that newly anointed captains Owen Fleck ’26 and Gershom Munene ’27 selflessly dropped back from their traditional offensive positions to shore up the team’s back line. Loomis always gives DA a great game, and the team looks forward to its rematch down in Windsor on November 6. But for now the team turns to preparing for its face-off on Saturday at home against Cardigan Mountain School, typically the toughest contest on its schedule.