On Thursday, March 23, the Phoenix varsity boys soccer team battled it out on the field against the Briar Woods Falcons. The game started off with both the teams at an even score, but picked up when the Falcons got a lead by scoring a goal over the Phoenix early in the game.

The Phoenix made strong attacks and had good rhythm in the first half, but quickly fell behind as the Falcons dominated the field. “Something that we need to work on is distributing the ball well,” junior Keyaan Bashir said. “But, we did possess the ball well in the back.”

Even with numerous player substitutions and different plays made to try to get an advantage over the opposing team, the Falcons continued to stay in the lead for the first half, ending with a score of 3-0. The second half started with a bang as the Phoenix got better at keeping possession of the ball. During the last nine minutes of the game, sophomore Yousuf Odai Jami scored their first goal of the night, assisted by sophomore Rishit Choudhari. “I felt so good [after scoring the goal],” Jami said. “I couldn’t have imagined that.” 

Despite a few opportunities for the Phoenix to score a goal in the last few minutes of the game, they were unable to repeat their tally. Although the team didn’t get the results that they wanted, they kept encouraging each other on and off the field. “I’d like to shout out the whole team really,” Choudhari said. “We’re still a good, hardworking team and I totally see us winning games.”

The Falcons scored the last goal of the night with seconds to go on the clock to end the game at 6-1. 

The next home game will be on Monday, April 17 against the Loudoun Valley Vikings.

Gallery • 5 Photos

Sruthi Vivek

Junior Arshan Shahjahan headers the ball to keep it away from the Falcon defenders.