![The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.jpg)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
The Phoenix Crush the Cardinals At Home In a Boys Soccer Match
The Phoenix dominated the Gainesville Cardinals on March 18 with a final score of 7-1.
![Running towards the ball to get it to the other side of the field, sophomore captain Rishit Choudhari makes several advances to try to get the ball to the goal. “We did a great job keeping our head up [during the game],” Choudhari said. “Even though the result wasn’t what we wanted, we all played really well.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC_0948-427x475.jpg)
![Freshman Brian Ayewouadan keeps the ball in his possession as he tries to move it away from the Pioneer defender. “We could have definitely had more goals, and our strikers were a little bit off. This was my first varsity [game] as a freshman, and I was kind of nervous, but I actually did pretty good,” Ayewouadan said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DSC_0452-e1678394890698-475x464.jpg)
Seniors Shahaan Bashir (8), Varun Reddy (2), and Hamza Hirad (4) prepare to head the ball from a cross into the box during the first half.
Led by senior Prince Amarante (13), who scored a hattrick in the first 21 minutes of the game to give the Phoenix a comfortable 3-0 lead, the boys soccer team started off their March 18 game against the Gainesville Cardinals extremely aggressively. The Cardinals defense was constantly on its heels as the Phoenix kept pushing the ball up the field, which resulted in two more goals — Amarante scored his fourth goal for the match, and Senior Nader Amin Jr. (10) scored his first. The Phoenix were proud of their teammates’ work in the game. “We were composed in the front and took our chances well,” senior Sathya Gopalakrishnan (9) said. The Phoenix ended the half 5-0.
The Phoenix did not give the Cardinals a break during the second half, keeping their foot on the gas through the end of the game. “Our defenses didn’t give up too many opportunities,” Gopalikrishnan said. “Goalkeepers were confident and the midfield won their battles.”
Amin scored two more goals to get himself his first hattrick for Rock Ridge. “It felt amazing honestly, first hattrick for my new school — and wouldn’t want to do it for another team,” Amin said. “We kept playing at our best, we focused and thankfully we [did] really [well] and won the game.”
During the final minutes of the game, the Cardinals scored a goal to end the match 7-1. The next boys soccer game will take place on Wednesday, March 23, against the Vikings at Loudoun Valley.
Abhi loves the office, basketball, soccer, and sarcasm. He is hoping to pursue either Law or Journalism as a career.
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