Huskies Come Up Short in a Thriller

This past Friday night, the Kennedy turf field came alive under the lights as New Hampton School's men's varsity soccer team hosted Cushing Academy in front of a packed crowd of energized home supporters. The atmosphere was electric, with students and faculty turning out in full force to support the Huskies.

 

New Hampton came out strong in the first half, creating opportunities and maintaining control of the tempo. Their efforts were rewarded with a beautiful opening goal scored by Tyler, who stepped up in a big way with a phenomenal finish. Cushing responded with an equalizer before halftime, making it 1–1 at the break.

 

The second half was just as intense. While New Hampton dominated possession and displayed superior team chemistry, a well-placed Cushing goal gave the visitors a 2–1 lead. Despite several promising chances, the Huskies were unable to find the back of the net again.

 

Although the scoreboard didn't reflect it, New Hampton was undoubtedly the stronger side on the night and deserved at least a draw. The game was fiercely competitive, emotional, and thrilling from start to finish. Not to mention the drama from the officials, including an unusual pause halfway through the second half at the request of the Cushing Academy head coach.

 

A significant highlight of the match was the return of center backs Sean and Malcom, both coming off injuries and anchoring the defense with strong performances. The midfield was dynamic and composed, with Griffin shifting seamlessly from striker to the #10 role. The coaching staff also made a significant tactical shift in the second half, moving from a 4-1-4-1 to a 3-5-2 formation. This transition was executed flawlessly, thanks in large part to Dani, a native Spanish speaker, who helped orchestrate the switch in real-time—impressively doing so in his second language.

 

Despite the tough 2–1 loss, the match showcased the Huskies' grit, depth, and versatility. The team continues to grow with each game and looks forward to building on this performance in the matches ahead.