The Covid pandemic has been the biggest obstacle for SVHS sports in the last two years.This has particularly affected the boys’ soccer team, as it was canceled entirely last season. 

The soccer season has kicked off to a good start in this winter season, filling the varsity and junior varsity rosters.

The varsity team is led by the veteran Coach Pedro Merino. 

Merino was a successful college soccer player and has enjoyed his career as a Spanish teacher and varsity boys’ soccer coach since. 

In the first showing of the season, Merino led the team to a resounding 5-1 victory in a preseason matchup against San Marin, thanks to two goals from senior striker Joey Fiorito and three goals from senior winger Mikey Serbicki. Senior and captain Oscar Fernandez led the team from midfield, assisting his forwards for three of the goals.

Oscar agrees that the team has “a great core and great mentality,” and should be a very “powerful team this season with some very gifted players.”

Alongside Oscar Fernandez as captain is senior Aidan Griggs-Demmin. The two are looking to lead the team to a successful season after the team failed to materialize last year. 

“Historically we’ve been one of the strongest sports programs at the school – we’re looking to continue that trend this winter” concludes Fernandez.