Senior Zane Jakobs winds up to kick a ball downfield.
The Buckingham Knights have always been a formidable opponent for the boys’ soccer team.
But last year, the Cavs had the Knights’ number. The boys won the series, 2-1, shutting out the Knights in both wins.
But when they faced off for the first time this season on Jan. 10, the Knights defeated the Cavs, 3-7, as heavy rain turned the grass field into mud puddles.
To add to the poor weather conditions, the Cavs were missing four players, including leading scorer junior Theo Kaufman.
According to sophomore Nate Jakobs, the mud-filled goal box created chaos for the Cavs’ defense.
The Knights capitalized on the chaos, scoring five unanswered goals going into halftime.
The Cavs came into the second half with force, looking to get back into the game.
After Jakobs intercepted a goal kick, he put it into the side of the net from 20 yards out, cutting the lead to four.
But once again the Knights answered. They got the ball in the box, and it found its way into the back of the net.
Players struggle to keep their balance on the soggy field as rain pours down.
The Cavs answered with a goal of their own after senior Aidan Cunningham streaked down the left sideline and crossed the ball to senior Adam Dean, who headed it in to cut the lead, 2-6.
But the Knights stayed aggressive and scored another goal, solidifying their already insurmountable lead.
With a few minutes remaining, Cunningham fired at the goal but was blocked by a Knights’ defender.
The refs conferred and decided to award the Cavs a penalty kick.
Jakobs took the kick and placed it in the back of the net, finalizing the score at 3-7.
Sophomore Benett Sackheim rushes to the ball before any Knights can take control of it.
Senior goalie Zane Jakobs said the rain made playing in the goal exponentially harder than usual.
“Your pants, shirt and cleats get wet and muddy, and they end up weighing a ton,” Zane said.
“It slows you down and makes it harder to get good reactions to shots and get good punts off.”
The Cavs’ next game will be against the Leroy Greene Academy Lions on Friday, Jan. 20, at 3 p.m. at home.
The Cavs’ game against Western Sierra Collegiate Academy has been postponed to a later date. Check back or follow us on Twitter for updates.
—By Jake Longoria
