With a final score of 4-2, and after a nail-biting second half, the Athenian Men’s Soccer team won the 2019 NCS Championship on Saturday. The unprecedented victory was won on Athenian’s field with more than four-hundred spectators holding their breath. The campus was packed with scores of students, dozens of alums, and a healthy showing of supportive faculty; Owls fans were deep, and “The Nest” was on fire.

The team was up 2-0 at half time, with a fast goal from striker Eiki H. ‘21 and an aggressive finish from Fraser C. ‘20. Matt B. ‘22 secured a comfortable third goal early in the second half off a header. When the opposing team caught up with a quick two goals, things were looking tense. The Owls persevered and held their ground defensively with a strong line led by Nathan Mc C. ‘21, and Rushil R. ‘20.  It was the amazing ball passed by Rabee H ‘20 that Eiki H. ‘21 put into the back of the net that secured the victory.

Overall, it was a great season for the Owls, who only lost a single game and won the BCL League Championships outright. They went on to become league tournament champions and got the number one seed for NCS, which gave them the home-field advantage during the tournament journey. They thrived under the leadership of Coach Matt Zahner, and Assistant Coaches Adam Thorman and Anthony Aguilar ’14, and the full support of an Athletics department led by Darek Cliff and Josie Chapman.