By Michael Batten '10

Photo by Steven Schnibbe, via Brooklyn Daily

Last Friday, the stands of Aviator Field were packed with Xavier supporters as the varsity football team played its first game of the season against Xaverian. Though the Knights outrushed the Xaverian Clippers 222 yards to 103 yards and played solid defensively, they lost the opener 20-14. Coach Chris Stevens ’83 attributed the loss to several avoidable mistakes during a sloppy second half, which included penalties and dropped passes. As the team looks to get back on track this weekend against the St. Peter’s Boys Eagles, they look to play stronger, smarter football.

The junior varsity Knights enjoyed a bye last weekend and will return to the gridiron against Poly Prep this Sunday.

The freshman football team began their season last weekend. Marking the first of many games that the team will play together, they fell to perennial Long Island power St. Anthony’s, 21-6. They hope to pick up their first win against Cardinal Spellman this Saturday at Marine Park.

Soccer Maintains Strong Season Opening Against Tough Opponents

After five games against some of the toughest competition in the league, the Xavier varsity soccer team is 2-1-2. Playing two games this week, the soccer Knights lost by one goal to Fordham Prep, falling 3-2, and the team drew with Archbishop Stepinac with one goal apiece. The squad plays again on Friday against Christ the King. 

The junior varsity soccer team has struggled slightly this week after beginning the season with an undefeated streak. The J.V. Knights have been shut out twice, losing to Fordham Prep 2-0 and Stepinac 1-0. Acknowledging their recent struggles, assistant coach Matthew Hayes ‘10 said, “We have to score to win games.” The junior varsity squad is currently 2-3-0 and will play against Christ the King on Friday with a chance to get back to .500.





 


The cross country team will open the season this Saturday with the top seven, lead by J.C. Rice '15, at the Warwick Invitational while rest of the squad will be at the Regis Invitational at Van Cortlandt Park.



For further information, including detailed schedules, please visit Xavier Athletics online.

Schedule

Thursday, 9/18: Baseball: 4:00pm @ All Hallows Randall’s 27
Friday, 9/19: Baseball: 4:00pm @ Spellman
Saturday, 9/20 : Var. Football: 1:00pm vs. St. Peter’s @ Aviator
Var. Soccer: 4:30pm Christ the King @ Aviator
JV soccer: 4:30pm Christ the King @ Juniper Valley
Frosh. Football: 10:00am Spellman @ Marine Park
Cross Country 9:30am Warwick Invitational @ Warwick
Cross Country 1:00pm Regis Invitational @ Van Cortlandt Park
Sunday 9/21 J.V. Football: 10:00am @ Poly Prep