The Boys Varsity Soccer field has been closed off all fall for repairs due to unforeseen complications with the new grass. Buildings & Grounds (B&G) is working hard to get the field back in play.

Currently, the varsity team is practicing on the boys JV soccer field, thus changing the practice schedules for JV and thirds. The JV team practices three days a week on the thirds field while playing games on Wednesdays and Saturdays on the JV soccer field. Meanwhile, the thirds team practices once a week on the thirds soccer field and twice a week in the O’Brien Rink. 

The field went under construction over the summer as it needed major work; it had developed drainage problems over the years. Moreover, the grass was not suit

Varsity soccer striker Luke Beckstein ’20 said, “Just passing the ball you could tell there were issues because the ball would jump around. When I was practicing last year, I stepped in a hole and severely sprained my ankle.” 

According to Tim Dumont, the head of B&G, the new sod (grass and the topsoil beneath it held together by its roots) on the varsity field has only been in place for two months, during which hot and dry summer conditions prevented it from taking hold. 

When asked about when the field will be available, Mr. Dumont said, “Headmaster Maqubela has been very close to this project and is monitoring it with Buildings and Grounds to determine when this time will be.”The boys varsity soccer field has been closed off all fall for repairs due to unforeseen complications with the new grass. Buildings & Grounds (B&G) is working hard to get the field back in play.

Mr. Maqubella added that he recently walked the field and, while it shows some signs of improvement, that it still isn’t draining as well as he would like. So long as B&G is unsure whether or not the field is fully up to par, the headmaster said games and practices will not be held on it as poor or uneven grass can injure players. 

Despite not being able to use the new field, the varsity soccer team is optimistic. 

Varsity soccer captain and midfielder Max Steinert ’20 said, “Not being able to use the brand new field has been disappointing, but practicing on the JV soccer field hasn’t affected our mentality at all.”

“The JV field is not a bad field. We’re just glad to have it,” added varsity soccer defender Jiacheng Kang ’22. 

When asked about having to play home games on the turf and the Circle, Jiacheng said, “We are grateful to have the opportunity to play on the Circle as it symbolizes the heart of the school.”

The renovation of the new varsity soccer field has complicated logistics and schedules for the three boys soccer teams, but the varsity soccer team’s spirits are still bright.