This Week in Sports - Week #28

Dave Levy, Athletic Director
Congratulations to varsity boys basketball player Sean T, a junior, who was named to VISAA's All-State First Team this week. Way to go, Sean! Sean's honor was announced during the varsity team's evening banquet held on Wednesday night. At the banquet, the coaches, players and player families celebrated season highlights and outcomes, and each player received an award from the coaches (ranging from Rookie of the Year to Offensive/Defensive Player of the Year, and so many more). It was a great finale to a phenomenal season for this team! Check out some photos.

Spring season is officially underway, as games began this week on our fields and on the road. The varsity girls soccer team led off with an away matchup on Wednesday, followed by Middle School girls at home last night. Three teams (varsity LAX, varsity girls soccer and Ultimate Frisbee) are on the road playing today. Go, Badgers!! 

Defensive-Minded Badgers Win Their Home Opener!

With two weeks of skill building and conditioning behind them, the Middle School Girls Badgers took the field for the first time this afternoon. Cypress, Aggie, Clara, Emma, Zaina, Sunrise and Emma all made their Tandem Soccer debut! Our sixth grade proved to be critical to Tandem's success! Nearly half the student body was outside on the front fields to witness the action. The Tandem students and an enthusiastic crowd on the hill were treated to a tight battle, with little margin for error.  
 
About halfway through the first half, Bryn alertly cut off her opponent, clearing the ball ahead to Sam in the midfield. With a quick pass to Hadley, the ball began its path up the pitch, heading towards the box.  Positioned on the right side of the field, Annie picked up where she left off during basketball season - she made her way towards the goal. Despite multiple defenders in the box, and a talented goalie, Annie dribbled away from the opponent, created some space, and fired a shot past the outstretched arms of Waldorf's goalie. With 14:00 to go in the opening period, Tandem took a 1-0 lead.
Aislin proved to be elite in the goalie box on multiple occasions. She had several difficult saves, and also communicated beautifully with her defense - as a result Kanice, Sophie, Libby and Bryn stood their ground - forcing the ball to the outside of the field and tackling any Waldorf player who came their way. Their ability to play the ball ahead to Zoey and Hattie, who were constantly in attack mode, proved to be critical in a game where the differential was never more than one goal.
 
With 12:00 to go, Waldorf was on the attack. Their top striker made her way into the box, hit the ground, and was awarded a penalty kick. Aislin did not blink. She stared down her opponent, brimming with confidence, and Waldorf's best scoring opportunity of the day sailed over the net. Very intimidating between the pipes, Aislin saved every shot this afternoon - a perfect day for an exceptional netminder. Over the course of the last quarter of the game, Waldorf had one more scoring chance, with Sophie beating the opposition to the ball and sending it safely out of bounds.  
 
Annie's early goal held up - the Tandem Badgers won 1-0 - avenging their loss to Waldorf a season ago. The team was gritty, physical, communicative and always did the right thing. "I'm beaming with pride," shared Coach Lauren after the game when she mentioned how much the returning players have improved from a season ago! What a start to the season!
 
Congratulations to Coach Lauren and Coach Emma - back on the field together for the first time since their Tandem playing days! The Badgers return to the field next Tuesday at 4pm vs Grymes at Tandem. We look forward to seeing you there!
Back
Tandem Friends School is a co-ed Quaker day school for grades 5-12 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
Copyright 2016 Tandem Friends School