After ending the season on a two-game losing streak, which dropped them to the #5 seed, the Yeshivat Frisch Cougars had a tough rode to make it to the championship. As the second to last team in, the Cougars had to win two road games to even think about winning a championship. After a few tough practices and a lineup change, which saw two full season starters moved to a sub role (Benny Attar and Jake Nussbaum) the Cougars were ready.

First, they traveled to take on the #4 seeded North Shore, after the long bus journey and a close first half, Frisch pulled away in the second half, earning a decisive 8-2 win and a date with the #1 seeded DRS Wildcats only a few days later. Coming off the bus vs. the #1 seed, Frisch knew they’d have to come to play and after falling behind 1-0, the Cougars erupted for a flurry of goals and a balanced attack leading to a 13-7 victory and a ticket to their third championship in three years. So, on May 30, the Frisch JV boys soccer team traveled to Ma’ayanot to face off against TABC. The Cougars dominated the ball from start to finish, striking with two goals to go up 2-0, one from their leading scorer and arguably the team MVP Nathan Sholomon and one from freshman phenom Judah Volodarsky. The second half was no different, and after a quick goal by TABC to make the score 2-1, the Cougars responded with three unanswered goals, two by Benny Attar who excelled in coming off the bench to strike early and often, and another, from Volodarsky to go up 5-1. From there Frisch never looked back, combining team defense, led by Natahan Planer, Aiden Einhorn and Jake Nussbuam, with a counter attack of a balanced offense the TABC storm quickly saw that they were over-matched, and while they had spilt with the Cougars during the regular season, this game was different. This game, the Cougars came to make a statement and to show they are the best team in the league.

Overall, Frisch wins a championship by taking out the #4, #1 and #2 seed. The team had some adversity this year and went into the playoffs on a losing streak, but quickly turned it around to bring home the ultimate prize home. While losing all its starters to the varsity team (who also won the championship), the Frisch Cougars showed the league that, with hard work, dedication and preparation anything can happen. The Cougars have put the league on notice with freshman keeper Ilan Davidovsky (nicknamed The Wall), and seven other freshmen returning (Aiden, Judah, Ephriam, Nate, Yoel, David and Eli) the Cougars are gearing up for a long run! “The true testament to this team is top to bottom everyone contributed “said Frisch coach, Moshe Zharnest, “Our lineup, how we ended, is not how we started, we made adjustments as the year went on, good coaches find the right system for their players, and while it took some time to get to know them, the end result speaks for itself.” Whether it be Ian, Daniel (Kopo) or Yosef, firing up the team in a practice, whether it be Abie or Owen showing the team how to deliver ball after ball to the middle, or whether it be Issac or Eli working as a tandem to ensure they can help as backup keepers, this team was fun to watch, on and off the field. Watch out MYHSAL 2019, the Cougars are here to stay.