Cross Country and both Varsity Soccer teams kicked off their seasons on a high note yesterday, each securing victories as they launch into the fall season.

Varsity Boys Soccer

In a low-scoring contest, Varsity Boys’ Soccer won 1-0 against Class C opponent Landmark. A rebound shot from Ryan Hurst ‘25 secured them the victory.

Player DJ Quarles ‘26 believed that despite the low score, the Gators had control the whole game.

“We had a lot of opportunities,” Quarles said. “They didn’t have too many opportunities.”

Despite the solid victory, the game’s ending was bittersweet as starting goalkeeper Harry Hall ‘25 left the field with a broken arm after a collision with an opposing player.

“I think it will get tough in the defense because he’s injured,” said midfielder Rimon Zhao ‘27. “I hope he gets better soon.”

For the time being, backup goalie Quinn Teschke ‘26 will play in goal.

Despite the loss of Hall, Quarles feels good about Teschke starting in net.

“He hasn’t played goalie for a whole year yet, but he did well when he subbed in yesterday,” Quarles remarked.

As for the rest of the season, Quarles thinks it will go well.

“I feel excited,” Quarles said. “We’re a good team.”

Varsity Girls’ Soccer

The excitement of the season opener was also palpable for Varsity Girls’ Soccer, as they delivered a commanding 9-0 victory on the road against Chapel Hill-Chauncy Hall.

“We played very well,”  Ava Bruell ’28 said. “A lot of goals. I think we did very well on passing back and forth to each other and focusing on our half of the field.”

Bruell also voiced how the win was a true team effort.

“Everybody contributed, either if they were pushing up the ball or if they were kicking a goal in, passing back and forth, or keeping it away from our goal,” said Bruell.

With such a strong start, the team feels optimistic about the rest of the season.

“I feel confident,” Bruell remarked. “I feel like we’re going to do well, and I feel like even if we lose a game, we’re still going to be confident either way, knowing that we will still do well in future games.”

Cross Country

Similarly, Cross Country earned a definitive victory in a scrimmage meet against Boston Trinity Academy and British International School of Boston.

“I think we [ran] really, really well,” said Conno Wagner ’25. “I saw everybody putting in a great effort, which paid off at the end.”

“Everybody stepped up,” Wagner said. “I want to give a big shout out to Isaac. He was pushing us all. He scored second, which is a big accomplishment for him. He did really, really well.”

Wagner not only feels good about specific runners, citing the overall quality of the team.

”We have a good pack,” Wagner said. “Our top five runners kind of all run at similar speeds, which is really, really helpful.”

As for the rest of the season, Wagner thinks the team will do well, with room for improvement.

“I think that we’re going to play really, really well, individually and then as a team,” Wagner remarked. “We have a lot more work to do if we want to get first in the league, but I think we’re on a really good start.”

Varsity Girls’ Volleyball has its first match next Wednesday at 3:00 p.m., away against the Newman School.