Deerfield traveled to Watertown, Connecticut to play its long-awaited season opener against the Taft School. Distinct underdogs with merely two players on the bench and several players limited in minutes by illness and injury, the team surprised itself with its high-energy, resilient effort against a deep Taft roster in an unnecessarily physical game. Veteran Ryan Bai ’26 impressed his new teammates with his signature indefatigable hustle at fullback, while rookie PJ Pirsch ’28 contributed some electric work as an attacking midfielder, unfazed by the many fouls he drew. Junior Sasha Djunic, after a successful year as a Junior B centerback, neutralized Taft attacks with his good touches and big foot. Returning keeper Jerry Du ’27 played a surehanded game, with the only goal coming on a free kick handed to Taft by a reckless play by our backline. The Thirds squad looks forward to our home opener against Loomis on Wednesday, the first of two contests against the Pelicans this season.