The DS High School boys soccer team is off to a hot start as they start the season with a record of 7-2-2. This year’s edition is an experienced group, led by a core of upperclassmen who were key members of last year’s team. Twelve members of the roster were part of the 2023 varsity squad that made it to the quarterfinals in the Division III state tournament. The 2024 team is led by senior captains Jack Martin and Simon Hart, for Martin this is his second year as captain.
The 2024 team has a more challenging schedule compared to recent years. With Millis not fielding a varsity boys soccer team this year, that left 4 slots in the schedule for non-conference games. Those gaps were filled with teams in Division I (Natick, Barnstable), Division II (Bedford) and the defending Division III state champions (Norwell). When asked about the difficulty of the non-league portion of the schedule, Simon Hart said “I think all the teams we play are difficult, and that helps us be prepared for every game we play”. Martin agreed. “Playing quality teams keeps us from developing bad habits, it’s better for us in the long run.”
The team started the season on the road against Bedford. They were able to build a 2-0 lead but saw that lead slip away in the last 25 minutes as an experienced Bedford team pressed to climb back into the game, which ended 2-2.
They next ran off a string of victories against Medway, Norton and rival Medfield, beating Medfield 5-3 on three unanswered goals. The team then hosted Norwell, the defending Division III State Champions. The match was hard fought with great chances generated by both teams but ended in a 0-0 tie.
Following a victory over Bellingham the team experienced its first loss, dropping a 4-0 decision to Holliston. Holliston came out more decisive and assertive, building an early 2-0 lead. Despite periods of carrying the play, DS was unable to climb back into the game.
The Holliston game kicked off the toughest stretch of the season. Following that loss the team hosted previously unbeaten Westwood. It was an exciting back-and-forth game which saw DS overcome two one-goal deficits and hold on for a 4-3 win. Later in the week they faced Ashland in the rain and turned in one of their best performances of the season, winning on the road 3-1. In that game the defense, depleted by illness, turned in an outstanding effort in holding off Ashland in the second half. They continued the streak with a 6-0 win over winless Norwood at home before traveling most recently to neighboring Natick. At Natick they played incredibly hard against a talented Division I opponent. They had a lead with less than 10 minutes remaining but a resilient Natick squad tied the game and then took the lead in the final moments of the second half to win the match 2-1.
The team now has a few more tests against TVL large teams and then rounds out the regular season with their second pass through TVL Small. In the October 4th MIAA Power Ranking, Dover Sherborn is ranked 5th in the state in Division III.
