Despite the steady rain, on Thursday, May 22, a large crowd gathered at the Highlander’s home field to support McLean’s varsity boys soccer team in the district final. They were playing Herndon High School, which has as of late been one of the Highlanders’ most difficult competitors, having faced them 2 times in last year’s playoffs, with the difficult district and regional finals, which McLean won, forming a rivalry. As a result of the ill will between the two teams, an intense game was expected.
“District finals are always really hard games,” Assistant coach Alex MacNabb said. “We’ve come a long way this season, and we’ve become really strong mentally, so I feel that we are prepared to deal with this pressure.”
The game started steady, the ball going back and forth between the two teams, and both sides were determined to take the momentum. Besides a few opportune counter attacks, McLean dominated possession, barely allowing the Hornets to cross half with the ball. It continued this way until over 30 minutes into the game, where a solid pass from senior defender Liam Conley to junior midfielder Charlie Lannin led to a goal from Lannin, putting the Highlanders up 1-0 and giving them the upper hand.
Throughout the rest of the first half, McLean was on the attack, striving hard for a second goal. However they were unable to score, and the half ended 1-0.
Going into the second half the sun started to shine through the rain and the crowd remained hopeful of a Highlander win. A curler right over the Hornets’ goalie from senior forward Ada Karatepe put McLean up 2-0, a steady lead for the Highlanders.
In the remainder of the game, there was tension between the two teams, but McLean maintained comprehensive dominance, only allowing the Hornets one shot on goal. As the clock ran down and the rain stopped, the game ended with a 2-0 Highlander win.
“Defense is locked in, I’m locked in, attack is locked in,” senior goalkeeper Sebastian Carmenates said. “We’re scoring left and right, so they have to be ready for us.”
Next, the Highlanders will play in regionals against South Lakes High School on Wednesday, May 28 at home. McLean has already dispatched them once this season, in an incredible 6-0 win. The squad is confident, and prepared for the intensity that comes with regional play.
“For the teams that we got next, be ready,” Caramentes said. “We’re hot and nobody can stop us right now.”
