The boys soccer team dominated Wootton for the first 99 minutes of regulation and two overtimes, but it was that final minute that decided the Oct. 21 game. When Wootton scored on a rebound in the final minutes of double overtime, the screaming fans, parents and coaches fell deathly silent after witnessing the 1-0 loss.
While the Bulldogs proved they are much better than they were earlier this season, it always hurts to lose to Wootton.
 “We were playing well, it was kind of a backbreaker,” senior captain Cameron Kidwell said. “We’ll have to see how the team reacts to the loss.”
Since every team automatically makes the playoffs in boys soccer, CHS hopes they can make up for a poor regular season record.
Several adjustments have been made to the roster including the addition of sophomore goalie Eli Lorenzi from junior varsity to replace injured senior captain Noah Sees. Lorenzi has played phenomenally in the last several games and must continue to be a force in net if the Bulldogs want to go far in the postseason.
“Coming in mid-season without any time to be with their team or train at any length is difficult at best,” coach Arnold Tarzy said. “[Lorenzi] has come in and provided a pleasantly surprising display of courage and ability beyond what we could have hoped for.”
Tarzy also called up freshman Crispin Muessle from junior varsity for the Wootton game. Muessle added some much-needed speed to the Bulldogs attack and could be the jolt the offense needs going into the playoffs.
The previously incapable offense might have had its best performance this season Oct. 19 against Sherwood, where they again dominated play for the majority of the match but could not get a score early on. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, sophomore Dylan Regan dribbled the ball down the sideline, cut to the middle of the field and fired a left-footed strike that was deflected, but found its way over the Sherwood goalie’s reach and into the net. CHS kept Sherwood from scoring late to seal the 1-0 victory.
“It was spontaneous, I wanted to find free space to pass it,” Regan said. “No one was open so I went in.”
The team has struggled on offense all season but was able to control possession and get a lot of scoring chances against top-ranked Sherwood.
“We made it a priority to push forward into their end,” Tarzy said. “We felt ahead of time that if we put them on their back foot they would think about defending first and lose their focus on their attack.”
CHS survived on several game-saving plays on defense. Kidwell blocked a shot that would have surely been a goal after it had gotten by Lorenzi. Sherwood was able to get a couple of shots on goal, but Lorenzi made a number of diving saves to maintain the clean sheet.
Kidwell has been making plays on defense all year long. His brutal physical play has made him a pest for opposing teams and aggressiveness has helped keep possession out of the defensive zone.
Regardless of a 1-0 loss to Clarksburg Oct. 12 and a 4-1 loss to Gaithersburg Oct. 8., the team has improved greatly since the beginning of the year. The 2-9 record might not show it, but the Bulldogs are starting to create more chances on offense and control the pace of the game.
“We have been successful in embracing and succeeding with a high energy style of play,” Tarzy said. “With the success we have enjoyed of late, I am certain that the team will continue their spirited attacking style.”