The 2024-2025 boys varsity soccer team embarked on an outstanding season, ending with fourteen wins, two losses, and two tied games. Head coach Rick Wolf, alongside captains Jack DeSimone ‘25, Reed Garcia ‘25, and Stefan Zehnacker ‘25, led their team to an incredibly successful and memorable season on and off the field. This year’s program was not just a team but a family.
Starting out the season on a rough tie only encouraged the boys to drive themselves towards four wins in a row, including two mercy rule games against Arapahoe and Douglas County. Their streak ended by tying a top-ranked college 1-1. But as soon as they returned to their hometown, Aurora, Colorado, they got back to work pushing themselves to continue winning and thriving. Throughout the season, they remained undefeated in the state, with eleven out of their fourteen wins as shutouts. Even though playoffs didn’t go as expected, the games “tested the team and challenged us to improve,” says senior Gavin Scarth. Throughout the season, senior captain Stefan Zehnacker constantly reminded the team that “you weren’t playing for yourself or an individual; you’re playing for the team.” They continuously built each other up and had a brotherhood like no other.
This brotherhood was not built overnight or simply just on the field. The boys worked on their chemistry together for months before the season began. They say being with one another was a very familiar and comforting feeling. From team dinners to pregame rituals, they grew tighter as a family and learned about each brother inside and out. The boys became more of a family than a team through their bondings and successes. “The team wouldn’t have been the same without the amount of connection of the seniors along with the contributions from the rest of the team,” senior captain Stefan Zehnacker tells us. He mentions that the upperclassmen being on the team for several years prior really helped the dynamic of the group. “We all tried to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses over the years.” Having a family feel for the team was vital to the boys’ success.
There were several memories made this season between the team. But by far, the one that stood out the most was the Jesuit Classic in Milwaukee at the start of their season. As a team, they got to explore Wisconsin, and their “confidence grew in each other and ourselves,” claimed senior Rocco Berg. Even though the outcome was not as they had hoped for, it was still a memorable time for the team with one another. This experience has built the foundation for the remainder of their season.
The boys are incredibly talented, and they did nothing but prove that throughout their season. Along with their talent, their determination pushed them to be better players for themselves and, most importantly, for the team. Even though the gentlemen did not get the end outcome that was hoped for, they each learned more about being part of a team and being part of something bigger than just themselves.