Fall Sports Season in Review

Boys' Soccer

Last year's record-breaking varsity soccer squad was the culmination of a deep roster with experienced upperclassmen and cultivated talent at every position. But with just four senior starters on this year's team - goalie Jonathan Fortuna, defenders Tim Visclosky and Jonathan Safer and midfielder Sergio Quisquinay - Blair's recipe for success could not be replicated. Finishing with a 3-8-1 record and a first-round exit in the state playoffs following a loss to Wootton, Blair dealt with its share of disappointments. After beginning the season strongly, the Blazers lost five straight games before beating up on county lightweight Blake, 7-1. During that stretch of losses, the Blazers scored just one goal while allowing nearly three per game. Despite the shortcomings, the team appears poised for a brighter future. Sophomores James Thomas and Alexander Baldwin were defensive mainstays all season, and junior Mike McClain flashed moments of brilliance in his four-goal game against Richard Montgomery. Sophomore Otis Banwell, captain of the junior varsity team, will also be counted on.

Girls' Soccer

Though it was one of the most successful girls' varsity soccer seasons in a long while, Blair's potent offense and airtight defense fizzled when it mattered most. In the team's four games leading up to their second-rout playoff bout with Wootton, the Blazers had scored 23 goals, an average of nearly six goals a game. Their defense had been equally stifling; in Blair's 12 regular season games, the team allowed only ten goals. The highest number of goals they had surrendered in any game was two. But in the game that would determine whether the Blazers moved on to the "Sweet Sixteen" of state playoffs, neither strength was enough to will Blair to victory. After a 3-0 victory over Northwest on Oct. 25, Blair fell to Wootton 3-0 on Oct. 30. Though gifted juniors Annie Worden (midfielder) and Jenny Williams (goalie) and sophomore defensive stalwart Imani Pierre return along with much of the team, Blair bids farewell to experienced seniors Lizzie Horne, Julia Mazerov, Katie Scott and Barbara Hendrick, as well as junior foreign exchange student Gabriela Vettiger.

Field Hockey

This fall was one of the most successful seasons in recent history for one of the deepest senior classes in the last decade of Blair field hockey. On a 16-man team with eight seniors and six senior starters, the team finished the year 5-7-1, including a dominating senior night triumph over Einstein and nail-biter losses to perennial up-county powerhouses Churchill and Damascus. In the team's twice-postponed playoff matchup against Wootton, the team fell 2-0 in an emotional game that was a tale of two halves. In the first half, the Patriots controlled play and scored twice. In the second half, the Blazers stepped up their game and dominated possession for the entire 30 minutes, but were unable to net a goal. The future, however, looks to be brighter, as this year's junior varsity team finished strong at 7-2-2.

Girls' Tennis

In finishing 7-5 this year, the Blair girls' tennis team accomplished what was most important: remaining in Division 1 for next year. Though perfect against local rivals - blanking Einstein, Kennedy, Springbrook and Wheaton, each by a score of 7-0, and beating Blake 4-3 - they struggled in competing with their familiar up-county foes. Against Magruder, Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Whitman, Wootton and Churchill, Blair posted just a 1-4 record. Individually, senior Priyanka Gokhale advanced to the county semifinals in fourth singles. At the regional playoffs, Gokhale partnered up with senior Bonnie Ding in doubles, advancing to the second round before bowing out to Northwest. Freshman Shilpa Kannan and junior Sneha Kannan also advanced to the second round in doubles before being knocked out by Churchill.

Girls' Volleyball

It was business as usual for the girls' volleyball team this year: they handled the down-county teams they were expected to beat, but fell to the up-county teams they weren't. A loss on Senior Night to the Poolesville Falcons dropped the team's record below .500, but a season-capping win at Wheaton on Oct. 29 leveled the Blazers' record at 7-7. The Wheaton victory was much-needed salvation from a four-game losing streak in which the team fell in straight sets to Churchill, Magruder, Damascus and Poolesville. In their playoff game against Blake on Nov. 2, the team lost a tough, one-sided battle. Down early due partially to a few critical mistakes, the Blazers fought back but couldn't match the Bengals' endless rallies. As it prepares for next season, the team will first have to manage the loss of senior anchors Julie Brice, Olivia Bozik and Molly Martinez, as well as dependable bench players Dorcas Olawuni, Ariel La and Amanda Chan. In their stead, they will heavily rely on junior Caitlin Ludington.

Football

With just one game remaining, Blair is still in contention for a perfect season - but it's the bad kind. It seems neither the offense or defense has showed up to the field. While numbers can be deceiving, statistics tell much of the story for this year's squad. The Blazers have not scored more than two touchdowns in any game this season. In their nine games thus far, they have averaged 6.1 points per game, while their opponents have averaged 31.6 points per game - an average margin of defeat near 25 points. Last week, Blair traveled to county powerhouse Damascus, and surrendered 63 while putting up only 12. And with one game remaining at Springbrook, Blair is mathematically incapable of finishing higher than last in the 4A East division. The odds will be against Blair in their bout with the Blue Devils, who are 4-5 on the season and have defeated several teams that Blair has mustered little against, such as Magruder and Blake. Even if they do secure victory, the Blazers will still be unable to advance to the state playoffs.