Soccer Opens Season with a Win
The varsity and junior varsity soccer teams both began their seasons last week, and both look hopefully toward the remainder of the year.

The varsity soccer team has similar expectations. Three games in, Xavier has recorded two wins, zero losses, and one tie. Varsity coach Mr. Aidan Byrne regards his group as skilled, athletic, and prone to flashes of brilliance. Coach Byrne maintains that “As one of the youngest teams in the CHSAA ‘AA’ division, the team must stay healthy and consistent against older opponents, and throughout the course of the season, get to know and play with one another better.” Nevertheless, Mr. Byrne believes that Xavier is primed for great success and is confident that the varsity ranks will qualify for the playoffs, with the expectation of making it to at least the league semi-finals, a first under his tenure.

The junior varsity soccer team has enjoyed similar successes thus far. Coach Paul Wendel has led his team to two wins and one closely fought loss so far. According to Mr. Wendel, “The team plays well as a cohesive unit, and is very talented and capable of having a great season that will challenge its opponents to step it up.” The soccer season is long and arduous, requiring no small amount of stamina and perseverance to maintain a high level of play, but all are hopeful that a promising start will portend a successful year.



The varsity football team will kick off its season this Friday against Xaverian High School. This is Xavier’s second year in the AAA-AA division, the most competitive in the CHSFL, and team members look forward to the challenge that the promotion poses. Coach Chris Stevens ’83 cites the relative youth of the varsity squad, noting that the current starting lineup is predominately comprised of new players, either rising up from the J.V. team or internally from varsity. Coach Stevens has not been deterred by this youthful influx, convinced that “team members are talented and have worked well together in past seasons.” Nevertheless, their intelligence in navigating the gridiron will prove to be a great force alongside their collective strength. Many players spent long hours in Xavier’s weight room this year, and their decision seems to have paid off, for the team is physically stronger than ever. The number of players able to bench 300 pounds has quadrupled since last year, and holistically, nearly all can bench over 200 pounds, both of which surpass all prior records. The team will face strong competition this year, and it is necessary that they employ their strengths capably throughout in order to succeed.

The junior varsity football team won its first game on September 6th against St. Peter’s (Staten Island) by the score of 14-13. When asked to comment on his team’s play, head coach Jose Aquino ’07 said, “It was a chaotic game, so it was good to come out on the winning end. We’re playing Poly Prep later this week, which should be tougher competition, so we can’t miss any opportunities against them.”

Xavier’s freshman football team looks forward to beginning the competitive season this Saturday against the St. Anthony Friars.