![Phoenix gets in position to initiate the beginning of an intense game. “It's coming to the end of the season here, so [our goal] is to just focus on working harder,” senior lineman Ryan Abbondanza said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/DSC_0042-1200x800.jpg)
On Wednesday, April 8, the Rock Ridge Phoenix boys soccer team, after previously losing to the Loudoun Valley Vikings on Monday, April 6, faced the Woodgrove Wolverines. This resulted in a 2-2 draw for the Phoenix.
The first half of the game started off with both the Phoenix and Wolverines fighting for the ball, with the Wolverines taking possession. Though the Wolverines initially controlled the tempo with a series of quick passes, the Phoenix backline held firm. Senior defender Arjav Iyer intercepted the pass, clearing the ball towards the forwards at the 24-minute mark.
Sophomore forward Elijah Mezzacappa received the outlet pass from Iyer, pushing the ball down the wing. A series of passes between Mezzacappa and junior forward Daniel Rojas broke open the defense, allowing Mezzacappa to break through and score the first goal around the 25th minute.
Following this gained momentum from the shot, and the Phoenix led multiple offensive pushes against the Wolverines defense. “I felt really excited, ” Mezcappa said. “We started building momentum as a team. We worked hard as a team to score the goal, and the momentum was going our way.”
The Wolverines, however, managed to take the ball away from the Phoenix players and attempted to move it upfield. However, Rojas intercepted the pass, resulting in him leading a play against the defense and breaking through. The Phoenix then scored the second goal of the game against the Wolverines 8 minutes after their first goal.
Throughout the rest of the first half, the Phoenix and Wolverines continued to push against one another, leading attacks against each other’s defense. “I think building up the defense and getting the ball out [defensively] was the best thing we did attacking-wise,” sophomore defender Prince Falteni said.
However, the momentum shifted late into the half. With five minutes left, junior Phoenix goalkeeper Santiago Pinto Vazquez managed to deflect the ball away from the goal; however, a Wolverines forward was able to collect the rebound, break through the defense, and score.
Moments later, the Wolverines intercepted a pass and earned a penalty kick in the final two minutes of the half, concluding the half 2-2.
The second half began with a different level of intensity from both sides. Both Rock Ridge and Wolverines had one goal: to break the stalemate. This play led to sophomore forward Victor Stewart receiving a pass and moving the ball upfield. Yet, the Wolverines’ defense saw this and successfully cleared the ball.
The second half continued with both the Wolverines and Phoenix taking shots on frame, resulting in multiple turnovers for both teams. However, within the last two minutes of the game, Rojas managed to get a penalty shot with a minute left, but he missed the goal. The second half still concluded 2-2.
Iyer felt satisfied with his team’s performance during the second half. “We were able to move the ball,” Iyer said. “With no subs, we knew that we had to make the ball work for us instead of us moving around a lot, ’cause we would get tired very quickly. So we passed very quickly, and then we got the ball over the top.”
Nonetheless, both teams had a chance to score during overtime, which consisted of two five-minute intervals. However, due to the strong defense played by the Phoenix and the Wolverines, neither managed to score, resulting in a 2-2 draw.
Stewart was disappointed with the outcome. “I was definitely frustrated because we couldn’t lock up the midfield and the attackers, which they shouldn’t have been penetrating through the defense like that,” Stewart said.
The Phoenix boys will be facing the Freedom Eagles on Monday, April 20.
