On Saturday, August 5th, the Stevenson Varsity Soccer team earned a hard-fought victory in their first invitational match of the school year, defeating Chicago Saint Patrick High School 3-2. After trailing 2-1 at halftime, the Patriots mounted a second-half comeback, scoring twice to secure the win.

The team had gained two victories over Leyden High School, and Cary-Grove High School in their first two matches of the season, prior to their game against Saint Patrick. Midfielder Joniel Dizon ’27 notes how the team was overconfident after those early season wins.

“During the first half, we weren’t quite as connected as a team as we could have been,” Dizon said. “We also weren’t as focused as we usually are and ended up playing more individually.”

After the team failed twice to prevent their opponents from scoring goals, Brady Brunner ’28 scored a point with less than seventeen seconds left on the clock, ending the first half with 1-2 against Saint Patrick. Coach PepeJon Chavez, along with the players, analyzes their performance in the first half, acknowledged their opponents’ weaknesses, and applied their observations to the second half of the game.

“In the first half we played with our heads,” Chavez said. “In the second half, we made adjustments, played free, and took their rhythm away— that’s how we stole the game.”
Thirty three minutes into the second half, Navaan Kistanna ’26 faked a shot and scored after making the goalie dive early, bringing the score up to a tie of 2-2 against Saint Patrick. With twenty five minutes left, Brunner set a corner kick near Saint Patrick’s goal and allowed Jacob Goldstein ’27, waiting among the crowd of players near the goal, to jump up and head the ball into the goal, breaking the tie and taking the lead 3-2.

Dizon emphasizes how the team always makes time for barbecues, pool hangouts, and team functions, which is significant in contributing to the teamwork and cohesiveness that they showed during this game. Matthew Rutcosky ‘26, a captain of the team, agrees with Dizon that it is important for the team to get together and give each other a sense of belonging within the team.

“Even off the field, on the field — it doesn’t matter,” Rutcosky said. “We’re hanging out as a team, having great times together, and it shows in our play.”
This year, the boys varsity soccer team has seen many new recruits, adding two new freshmen to the team, as well as having six sophomores on the team. Brunner notes some players on the team that have helped the new players establish themselves and adapt to the varsity-level competition.

“Our captains, Matthew, Cole, and Navaan, as well as my teammate Jacob, have really stepped up as leaders,” Brunner said.

Brunner appreciates the guidance that he’s been shown by older players and how that’s translated into his success as a new player in the team. This is echoed by Rutcosky, who emphasizes the team’s bond and the outlook that they have for the season.
“I believe this year we have a group of boys who just absolutely love each other,” Rutcosky said. “ It’s going to be an amazing season.”

Rutcosky emphasizes how the Patriots’ strong leadership and close-knit team chemistry have fueled their focus on bigger goals this season. With the veteran players guiding their younger teammates, the team is said to have developed a shared sense of purpose, a sentiment restated by Brunner.

“As a team, we’re motivated to get to state,” Brunner said. “It’s really a goal for everybody.”

The team’s motivation and unity are reinforced not just by players, but also by the guidance of their coach. Chavez emphasizes that leadership goes beyond strategy and skills; the culture and traditions of a team fuel their development and establishment.
“My goal is always love. Love is sacrifice, and that’s the foundation of leadership,” Chavez said. “All of our players and staff spread that energy to each other.”