Blind Brook boys’ varsity soccer team honors seniors with homecoming win
October 2, 2024 at 10:41 p.m.
The Blind Brook Trojans came off a busy weekend following their 0-0 draw with Briarcliff on Saturday, Sept. 21. Coming off the intense rivalry that has for years haunted the Blind Brook fans in the playoffs with a draw was satisfying for the Trojans, but it was not enough. The boys had a 7:45 a.m. practice the next day, getting quick touches on the ball and staying loose. They ended the practice with an ice bath and then looked towards the following day for their last match before homecoming.
The Trojans entered homecoming week hungry, with Haldane coming to Blind Brook on Monday, Sept. 23. The Trojans did not waste much time, and it was senior Danny Keilman who started the scoring for the day. Keilman cashed in with his first varsity goal eight minutes into the game. In the 21st minute, junior Jack Shaw dished it out to Noah Brookman, who finished to double the Blind Brook lead. Junior Ziad Attia entered the game late in the first half, beat the Haldane defender to a rebound, burying it into the Haldane net for his first varsity goal. In the 50th minute, senior Jack Gold finished Haldane off with a beautiful goal as the Trojans cruised to a 4-0 victory.
A recovery day on Tuesday followed by two practices and the most anticipated night of the season had finally arrived: homecoming on Friday, Sept. 27. The Trojans gathered for a pre-game dinner before watching the Blind Brook varsity girls’ soccer team crush the Valhalla Vikings in their homecoming matchup. Following that performance, it was go-time.
This year’s squad of seniors is one to remember. Captains QuiQue De Luca Almeida, Luka Cuk, Nico Palacios and Dylan McRedmond are all great leaders who have been a part of the varsity squad since their sophomore year. Noah Brookman, CJ Stumpf, Jack Gold, Danny Keilman, Cooper Schloss, Danny Wilk, Gavin Zislis, Cameron Scott, Hiroumi Shizuka, Zach Taerstein, Luke Miller and Victor Lopez have not only been a part of one of the largest senior classes the soccer team has seen in years, but one of the most skilled as well. The 2024 seniors have all devoted tons of effort and energy to the Trojans soccer program, and it was only right to send them out in style with a homecoming win.
Senior goalkeeper Luka Cuk clears the ball of danger from Haldane in the Trojans’ 4-0 victory over the Blue Devils on Monday, Sept. 23. He was also instrumental in the Trojans’ 4-0 homecoming win over Valhalla on Friday, Sept. 27.By Joseph DeCarlo
A packed, loud crowd wearing all black came ready to see the Trojans play the Valhalla Vikings at homecoming 2024. The boys took the field in their custom black and pink homecoming jerseys, and following the senior rose ceremony the game began at 8 p.m. The start of the game was mostly even, and it remained scoreless until, in the 29th minute, Brookman stole the ball from a Viking defender and buried it to begin the scoring of the night. Just six minutes later, Palacios finished a beautiful ball from Tyler Taerstein, doubling the Blind Brook lead. Nine minutes into the second half of the game, Tyler Taerstein pushed up and got his head on the rebound of a corner kick, finishing it off for his first varsity goal, celebrating with the crowd. Palacios completed what would be a perfect homecoming night with 14 minutes left, scoring another goal, this time unassisted. Luka Cuk ended the game with five saves and a 4-0 shutout, as the seniors concluded their last homecoming game in exciting fashion.
Homecoming is an emotional night for many seniors, especially Cuk, who has been a key part of the varsity team for all three years he’s been on it. “It meant everything to me,” he said. “Being able to play my final homecoming with what feels like my brothers in such an important game is more than anything I could ask for. We represented our core value of being a family and left everything on the field. The support from our community was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. This homecoming is the best I’ve had, and I will truly never forget it.”
The Trojans took a weekend’s rest before getting back to it, traveling to Rye Neck on Tuesday, Oct. 1. They then practiced for a few days before hosting Haldane on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. Blind Brook will then host Pleasantville on Monday, Oct. 7 and Briarcliff again on Wednesday, Oct. 9, both at 4:30 p.m.
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