Stevenson Patriots Boys Soccer Advances to Regional Final

Varsity boys soccer defeats #10 Warren Township 1-0 in regional final-clinching win

Ansh Aggarwal and Harikesh Prasad | October 23, 2024

Patriots defender Daniel Pryor ’26 battles for the ball with a strong header to his teammates. The team’s defense was crucial in pushing the ball away from their own net, and restricted Warren to five shots across the game.

The Patriots varsity boys soccer team won a hard-fought playoff game against the Warren Township Blue Devils on Tuesday, Oct. 22, advancing the team to the regional finals. With a secure defensive focus, the team was able to pull off a 1-0 victory, extending their record to 11-4-5 on the season.

The Patriots had plenty of motivation to seek a win against the Blue Devils, having previously lost to them in regular season play earlier in the season on Sept. 28, with a late goal by Warren late in the second half of that game. Head coach Pepejon Chavez noted how the team improved since the last game by working hard in practices and fixing faults revealed in that loss.

The Patriots began the game with a strong offensive focus, with 10 shots on goal in the first half, seven of which were on target, as compared to two shots by the Blue Devils. The team aimed to outwork the Blue Devils, something they noted they failed to do in their previous matchup with them.

Patriots striker Jack Bacher ’25 forces the ball out of a tricky position surrounded by multiple Blue Devils defenders. Bacher relied on consistent communication and passes from his team to score the lone goal of the night. (Ansh Aggarwal)

“I felt it in me because I’m one of the three captains that I just needed to take control of this game”, Patriots striker Jack Bacher ’25 said. “We came out here to communicate today and keep everything organized.”

The Patriots possessed the ball heavily throughout the first half, maintaining pressure on the Warren defense while simultaneously defending when Warren got close to a scoring opportunity. Towards the end of the first half, Patriots midfielder Zachary Aaron ’25 prevented a close Warren goal with a stellar tackle, holding the game scoreless. To end the half, both teams combined for three unconverted close range plays, two of which were corners and one a throw-in.

“We let the past go because [we] had to learn from history, and have to grow with it.” Chavez said. “Today was a planned effect. We knew exactly what we were going to do from the day that we lost to Warren against whoever we were going to play in this game.”

Head coach Pepejon Chavez discusses the first half with his team during a 10 minute halftime break. The Patriots began the second half looking to force a concession from the Blue Devils to put the Patriots ahead, putting three shots up in the half. (Ansh Aggarwal)

In addition to the improvements at practice, center back Mohit Damodaran ’25 notes the Patriots really played with heart as well, allowing them to dominate with their overwhelming pressure. Given that with a loss the game could have been the last for the seniors, Damodaran and others played with a higher level of intensity.

“Coach talked about passion and not letting our family down,” Damodaran said. “For the Stevenson soccer team, our team is family so that meant not letting ourselves down.”

The Patriots entered the second half hungry, looking for a goal to bring a lead. Both teams put up two shots on goal, looking to break the scoreless tie. Finally, with 21:46 left in the second half, Bacher scored the lone goal of the first half, putting the Patriots up 1-0. Bacher credited this to their consistent pressure throughout the game and their fervent practice throughout the season.

“Our coach has talked about this peak performance chart, and it’s like this whole season we’ve been on the rise and approaching our peak,” Bacher said. “In the playoffs, it’s the perfect time to hit [our peak] and we hit it.”

Patriots center back Mohit Damodaran ’25 sends a pass to his teammate further down the field to clear the ball away from the net. Damodaran relied on active communication to advance the ball and help the Patriots come out on top in their first playoff game of the postseason. (Ansh Aggarwal)

On Saturday, the Patriots will face the Rolling Meadows Mustangs, who are the second seed in class 3A, and hold a record of 14-4-3. Though the Patriots face a daunting task ahead for the Regional Finals, Chavez feels prepared with a game plan to defeat the Mustangs and plans to begin to implement it this week.

“I came here at 4:30 p.m. with some fried chicken, JoJos, and a Celsius and I watched Rolling Meadows and decided how we’d pick them apart,” Chavez said. “Now it’s up to my boys to take my information and practice, and to do just that on Saturday, but we’re ready.”

You can find our full photo album for this game at https://photos.statesmanshs.org/Statesman-24-25/Fall-24/Varsity-Soccer-Regionals-1022. All albums are always available at https://photos.statesmanshs.org.