Jack Brown ‘23
Sports Editor
This week’s Barristers match was one of the most anticipated of the season, as the team squared off with one of its perpetual rivals, the incorrectly named “Champion FC,” in what many pundits saw as a faceoff between the two strongest squads in the league. Spirits were high with a 1 p.m. kickoff time, with team captain Aziz Rashidzada ’23 instructing the squad to stay cool, calm, and collegial out on the field, no matter what Champion FC did to try to get under our skin.
Barristers was able to execute this plan to perfection with a comfortable win, even though the final score line of 1-0 might make a less informed reader think the game was a close affair. It took less than five minutes for Barristers to take the lead, thanks to a clinical finish by Seth Coven ’25, who was able to capitalize on a deflection to open his Barristers account in a crucial game. This goal, and a highlight run a few minutes later, would be the peak of his game experience, as a slight hamstring pull and getting stung by a wasp ended his day a little bit early. The physical staff expect to clear him to play next week.
After some back-and-forth play, Barristers took control of the game, with Champion FC looking mesmerized by the Barristers’ possession. A midfield triangle of Zack Pierce ’24, Jacob Baltzegar ’24, and Kathryn Peters ’24 dominated the game and helped force Champion FC to try and play their wingers in and behind with long balls, since they couldn’t get anything going in the middle of the pitch.
The few times Champion FC was able to keep hold of the ball long enough to mount an attack, they were smothered by one of the most complete backlines I have ever seen in my decades-long career. At the center of the defense is the ever dependable Tom Schnoor ’23, who is looking to add yet another trophy to his impressive collection before hanging up his Barristers jersey.
Joining him in the back was a collection of players that Barristers fans might not be as familiar with. Highly touted youth product Sir Thomas Cerja IV ’24 impressed with his play down the right side, while a trio of 1Ls, Zach Zamoff ’25, Elena Murray ’25, and Cam DiGiovanni ’25, dominated the entire game. During the preseason, there were concerns about the lack of defensive depth from the Barristers, but the Class of 2025 has more than stepped up already to fill that void. Credit has to be given to both the scouting department and developmental staff for—year in and year out—bringing talent to Charlottesville.
All in all, it was a comfortable game where the Barristers were unlucky to not get on the score sheet more. While last week’s explosive performance showed that the squad has the potential to score at will, so far it has been their defense that has truly impressed. Tune back in next week, as the Barristers have a rematch against ENNSA, the team they walloped 7-0 last week.
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jwb4bb@virginia.edu