The Riverside-Brookfield High School boys soccer team’s season may feel different as they adjust to these unprecedented times, but they have been going strong so far in 2021.
After running out to a 7-1 record to start the season, the Bulldogs settled for a 1-1 draw against Fenwick at the Kennelly Athletic Complex in Brookfield on April 2. Senior Harry Adami got the Bulldogs on the board first with a goal on a pass from senior Andrew Lukwinski late in the first half.
“Andrew got it on the outside, and he drove it in for me,” Adami said. “I just had to tap it in, it was all him.”
Senior leadership has been one of the keys for the Bulldogs’ success so far this year, and many players have contributed throughout the year so far.
“Our midfield is really good,” Adami said. “[Senior Xander) Sanchez has been on varsity for all four years. (Sophomore defender Alex] Garcia has been a rock for us and [senior goalie Jaiden] Costello has been great.”
RB’s (18), left, runs to take control of the ball over Fenwick’s Zach Hernandez (6) on Friday, April 2, 2021, during a varsity boys soccer game at Riverside Brookfield High School. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Fenwick’s Jack Powers (27) dribbles the ball and attempts to shoot a goal on Friday, April 2, 2021, during a varsity boys soccer game against Riverside Brookfield at RBHS. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Fenwick’s Yaro Demidiak (25) battles for the ball against RB’s (10) on Friday, April 2, 2021, during a varsity boys soccer game at Riverside Brookfield High School. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
RB’s (2) heads the ball on Friday, April 2, 2021, during a varsity boys soccer game against Fenwick at Riverside Brookfield High School. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Along with those players, seniors Andres Beltran and Miles Rubio have been key contributors, as well as sophomore Manny Tovar.
Adami said he was thrilled to hear that he would be able to play his senior season after all the uncertainty and changes the pandemic caused for high school athletics. With two weeks remaining in 2021 and some tough games to go, including one against Wheaton Academy on April 13, he knows his team will be locked in.
“It’s disappointing that there are no playoffs this year, but I still want to compete, and I still want to play well, and we’ve got some hard games coming up,” Adami said. “This was a good game to keep our momentum going, because Fenwick is a good team, too.”
Because there is no state tournament this year, the Bulldogs won’t be able to defend 2019’s regional championship, but there’s still chance for team growth, said coach Ivek Halic.
“Despite not having a state series tournament, we are looking towards continuous growth as a program, development with our young athletes, and a conference championship for this season,” Halic said.
