Boys Varsity Soccer: Season Outlook

The St. Luke’s Boys Varsity Soccer team is looking to build off a tremendous 2022 season which saw the Storm crowned Fairchester Athletic Association (FAA) Regular Season Champions.

St. Luke’s finished with an 11-2-4 regular season record and hopes to contend for FAA and New England Preparatory School Athletic Council honors again this year.

The Storm welcomes back a strong group of players, as well as head coach Ryan Fairhurst who enters his eighth season in charge.

Fairhurst is pleased with how pre-season went,but knows that competition is extremely tough. 

“Preseason was very good,” Fairhurst said. “We had some excellent performances against Darien High School, New Canaan High School, and Central High School and it helped us integrate the newer players into the squad. We have some tough games to begin with and I’m happy about it. We want these close battles early to work out what’s going well and what isn’t.”

The Storm is captained by senior trio Eli Brody, Nikolai Bonwetsch, and Watson Meyer. All three are an integral part of the team’s success and Fairhurts expects them to show their leadership qualities.

“I am looking for them to keep spirits high and motivate the playing squad in tough times on and off the field. They know what St. Luke’s soccer is all about and I expect them to do a fantastic job.”

Fairhurst is impressed with all his returning players as well as some new additions.“Luca Vega ’25 came in with a great playing background and I’m looking forward to seeing how he grows in this team. The freshman we added—Alex Hill, Lucas Krauss & Mateo Perez—all have excellent potential and I’m looking forward to seeing them play at this level. Matty Shulman ’25 has stepped into his new role and looks sharp at the back. Peter Lewis ’24 continues to strive to become better and his hard work and effort in practice and games doesn’t go unnoticed.”

The Storm had its first game against The Harvey School rescheduled due to inclement weather before dropping its home opener against Greenwich Country Day School on Tuesday, Sept. 12. St. Luke’s led 1-0 before the Tigers mounted a comeback to win 4-1.

The team lost another tough one at Rye Country Day School on Thursday, Sept. 14 but  Fairhurstr believes if his players continue to play the style of soccer he implements, they can achieve their goals. 

“We have to stick with the principles of play throughout the entirety of games and to be stronger mentally when we go behind,” he said. “Our biggest challenge is keeping a healthy roster throughout the year so we can create competition for places. If we can do these things then we expect to compete for honors.”

Boys Varsity Soccer went back on the field on Wednesday, Sept. 20 against Marianapolis Preparatory School and Saturday, Sept. 23 against The Wheeler School. Both games were at home. The Storm won both games 3-0 and 6-2 respectively.

St. Luke’s then recorded a huge FAA win at home against Hopkins School on Wednesday, Spet. 27. The Storm edged the Hilltoppers 1-0 to improve to 4-3 overall.