(He’Atid sports) The Yeshivat He’Atid Hurricanes boys soccer team capped off an incredible, undefeated season with a 3-2 victory over the Ramaz Rams last Sunday. The game was an entertaining spectacle with aggressive tackling, determined attacking and disciplined defending, as each team fought bravely for the championship trophy.
He’Atid took the lead in the first quarter through a superb individual effort by Gilad Adler who stole the ball, ran up the wing and blasted the ball into the back of the net from an acute angle.
Ramaz equalized in the second quarter from a tap-in on the goal line by Asaf Seinfeld, which set up a finely balanced 1-1 score line at half time. Shortly after the start of the third quarter, Ramaz took advantage of a rare pocket of space to take the lead with a fine shot by Simon Werthenshlag into the top corner, putting them ahead at 2-1. He’Atid kept their composure and with their brick-wall defensive pairing of Nathan Davidson and Zachary Friedman continuing to defend robustly, and their goalkeeper Yishai Davidowics displaying his awesome shot-stopping skills.
The Hurricanes frustrated every further attempt by Ramaz to score and constantly sought out opportunities to initiate transitions to attack. He’Atid‘s chance to equalize came minutes later in the third quarter as more great wing play by Adler on the left culminated in a pinpoint cross to Adam Lehrer, He’Atid’s top marksman throughout the competition, who fired in from close range. Later in the quarter, Adler’s determination to beat the keeper to a loose ball on the right and cut the ball back, resulted in Lehrer running on to the ball and striking it fiercely into the net to give them a 3-2 lead. This drew rapturous applause and unbridled celebrations from the He’Atid fan base who had been tremendous in their support all game and throughout the whole season.
Ramaz displayed strong defense throughout by Edward Ash and Josh Davidson. Great goalkeeping by Ramaz goalie Alon Sidi forced the Hurricanes to work hard for their win.
He’Atid had some important and valuable substitution contributions from Eli Lefkowitz and Moshe Lansey, and more defensive heroics from Davidson and Friedman, as well as diligent tracking back from Lehrer and Adler. The Hurricanes were able to close out an outstanding victory and create history in becoming the first team from Yeshivat He’Atid to win a YMSSA trophy. Thank you to co-coaches Lance Friedman and Mikey Lehrer for their hard work all season to develop and refine the whole squad’s immense talent and direct it towards this victory. The team’s never-say-die attitude and mental resilience earned them the spoils in this mesmerizing, and at times bruising, encounter.
Coach Friedman summarized it eloquently after the game: “I am so proud of the effort put forth by our team throughout the season. Winning the championship was the culmination of a true team effort all season long. Being part of the milestone of winning the first championship for Yeshivat He’Atid will be something the team will always cherish.”
This was a proud moment indeed for Yeshivat He’Atid, and as these boys continue their soccer careers, some in various Yeshiva high schools, some in their final year at He’Atid, they can look back at this triumphant season as a wonderful landmark in their athletic achievements.
