SSFS Soccer: Present

The 2008 SSFS Men's Varsity Soccer Team completed an inspiring 10-3-4 overall regular season and playoff campaign, registering 45 goals in favor versus 15 against, and furthering a tradition of twelve consecutive winning seasons and counting.

Exemplifying the actual size of the battle in the fourth seeded ‘Beests, a Herculean playoff run that included the program's seventh consecutive final four appearance, and ninth in the past ten seasons, ended in epic fashion in a penalty kick shootout against Washington International School at OBGC Park at Freeman Fields in Olney, Maryland.

En route to claiming the 2008 PVAC Tournament banner, the program’s ninth conference championship since the fall of 1999*, the 'Beests earned 9 shutouts in 17 games. In addition, the 'Beests proudly defended their beloved Preuss Field, compiling an admirable regular & playoff season home record of 6-2-2. Furthermore, this year's team broke three program records (please refer to Hall of Fame):

Among the six graduating Gentlemen-Warriors, the 'Beests induct two four-year varsity members to the prestigious Ring-of-Honor: Assistant Captain, and four-year conference all-star, Sam Schneider and Benji Wei. This duo finishes their illustrious four-year careers on varsity with an overall record of 52-8-8 and a PVAC record of 41-5-6, including three PVAC Tournament Championships, two PVAC Regular Season Championships, one Francisco Hope Tournament crown, and one SSFS Preseason PlayDay Tournament. Additionally, they leave knowing that they helped earn a remarkable 41 shutouts in 67 regular season and playoff games.

In recognition of their outstanding performance, SSFS received two First Team PVAC All-Star honors this season: Captain Chris Jones (’08), as well as PVAC Player of the Year and Tournament Player of the Year senior goalkeeper Sam Schneider (9 shutouts in 17 games and a 0.88 GAA). Also, forward Braeden Kelly (18 goals & 5 assists for 41 points in 20 games) was the highest vote earner named to this season’s Second Team PVAC, and the only freshman all-star among the top twenty-two selections. Moreover, freshman defender Nick DiFazio received the designated honor of a Coach’s selection for his indomitable will.

In conclusion, this season could not have been possible were it not for the support of our loyal and supportive fans!

* SSFS MEN'S VARSITY SOCCER PVAC CHAMPIONSHIPS:
1999 League Banner & Tournament Plaque
2000 League Banner
2004 Tournament Plaque
2005 League & Tournament Banners
2006 League & Tournament Banners
2008 Tournament Banner

A year removed from its noble, albeit ill-fated, attempt to achieve the previously unimaginable – claim a fourth consecutive PVAC Tournament Championship – what was recently a bull's eye stamped on this program is now undoubtedly a question mark to some and an exploitable wound to others. Undaunted, the members of this fall’s campaign share a similar resolve and unwavering aspirations: to establish their own deserved legacy within the program’s rich history and to restore its place atop the conference’s throne.

Always searching for challenges that complement its perennial conference quest, SSFS will meet first-class opponents from top private school conferences: Sidwell Friends, Georgetown Day, St. Andrew's Episcopal, Maret and St. James (MAC), St. Vincent Pallotti (MIAA), Seton (CAAC), plus independents the likes of The Heights School, and public-school giant Northwood (Montgomery County Class 3a). With such an ambitious 2008 schedule, the program clearly remains driven by endeavor and inspired by promise.

Like the myth of the Phoenix, each successive season seems to be born from the ashes of its recent past, yet the graduation of last year’s nine Gentlemen-Warriors has, in many ways, closed another chapter in the archives of this revered program. On the heels of last season's 9-4-3 PVAC Semifinalist campaign, the challenge of reassembling now lies primarily at the feet of the ten battle-ready varsity players who return to the ’Beest roster this season, seven of whom saw action in at least fifteen games last year. In addition, this season welcomes six maturing prospects to the varsity ranks from within the SSFS soccer program fraternity (middle school and junior varsity): two promising freshmen, a pair of budding sophomores, one blossoming junior and a time-tested senior. The other fresh faces are one international junior transplant from Sierra Leone and two highly regarded freshmen transfers. All of the new additions are certain to step in and satisfy the team's role-playing and depth needs. This interdependent group is determined to display the traditions of excellence and pride that have become trademarks both within and outside our school community.

The squad enters the fall devoted, having acquired a wealth of experience from intensive off-season individual training regimens. Aside from a plethora of in and out-of-state summer soccer camps, club tryouts, teams and tournaments, unique experiences included SoccerPlus’s Advanced National Training Center for Goalkeepers in Brunswick, Maine, as well as this summer’s United States Futsal National Championships held in Baltimore, Maryland. In search of broadening their cultural horizons while improving their soccer acumen, several players spanned the globe, from Brazil to Italy, from Costa Rica to Bolivia’s famous Tahuichi Academy. Collectively, the ’Beests were privileged to partake in an invaluable preseason team isolation camp in Deep Creek, Maryland.

This year's SSFS Men's Varsity Soccer Team stands atop the platform built by its predecessors, boasting collective mettle, team-first moral fiber and a proud battle cry. A shrewd understanding of the game's intricacies and an unquenchable competitive thirst make this squad inventive in the attack and tireless on defense. Led by the triumvirate Ring-of-Honor candidates of Captain Chris Jones (’09) and Assistant Captains Sam Schneider (’09) and Luke Savonis (’10), the 2008 SSFS Men's Varsity Soccer Team is resolute in its desire to leave its own enduring imprint this season.

‘Beest Boosters can expect an electrifying campaign comprised of early exponential growth, followed by some exciting "upsets" and culminating in the arduous climb to the PVAC Championship.

* SSFS MEN'S VARSITY SOCCER PVAC CHAMPIONSHIPS:
1999 League Banner & Tournament Plaque
2000 League Banner
2004 Tournament Plaque
2005 League & Tournament Banners
2006 League & Tournament Banners