A Difficult Start for the Peglegs

The Peglegs, the boys’ soccer team, had their first game of the season on Wednesday, September 13, against long-time rival Martin Luther King Junior High School (MLKHS) Knights. Their first official match was scheduled for Saturday, September 10, against Julia Richman Education Complex, but it was postponed due to the other team’s lack of available players. Unfortunately, the Peglegs’ game against MLKHS resulted in a 4-0 loss.

The Knights are the defending city-wide champions. In both of their games last year, the Peglegs lost to the Knights 7-0. “We are in a very rough division, having to play Martin Luther King Jr. and Frederick Douglass Academy [in] four out of 10 games,” coach Vincent Miller said.

During Wednesday’s game, the Knights had the opportunity to launch 13 shots against the Peglegs, who were only able to shoot four.

After losing six vital seniors from last year, the players are looking to other members of the team to step up in the starting lineup. “Players like [sophomore] Henry Kotkin, [sophomore] Lewis Woloch, and [sophomore] Jeremy Moller will be filling the void last year’s seniors [left]. [Senior] David Power will also be our new starting goalkeeper,” Miller said. Power was able to save eight of the 12 shots at the goal at Wednesday’s game, proving his capabilities.

Though the Peglegs lost, they proved that they were able to compete against the toughest of opponents. “We plan to make the playoffs this season. That's always our long-term goal,” Miller said. “[I am] confident [the team] will play hard and look to win some of those tough games.”

As the season goes on, the Peglegs will be looking to improve their finishes and possession in games. “I think we can improve our aggression when going in for tackles and also [work] to keep the ball against high-pressing teams,” senior and co-captain Caleb Smith-Salzburg said.