Boys

After an incredible 2014 season, boys soccer will look to defend their state title this year.

Leading the defense is captain and goalie Ian Atkinson, who believes that upperclassmen leadership and discipline is key to another successful year.

“We have eight seniors in our starting 11 who bring leadership, organization and inspiration to the rest of the group,” Atkinson said. “The keys to winning the state championship will be discipline on the defensive side of the ball, and remaining organized all over the field.”

On the offensive side, the team loses last year’s stars Davey Mason and Aaron Tanenbaum. Tanenbaum is off to college at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and Mason is playing the season on an academy soccer team. Whitman will look to forward Andreas Djurhuus, who played defense last year, for goals during the this season.

“I’m working hard to be able to repeat Davey and Aaron’s success at striker last year,” Djurhuus said. “Alongside the wingers I hope to score goals and win games for our team.”

Defender Dylan Madden is excited to get the 2015 season started.

“We’ve got a great group of captains and leaders,” Madden said. “We’re all hungry for another championship.”

The squad has a tough opening weekend: they face Mount St. Joseph’s tonight and then defending 3A State Champions River Hill on Saturday.

Girls 

Following their back to back state titles and last year’s perfect 17–0 record, the girls soccer team returns this fall with many new faces who hope to lead their team to another successful season.

To help fill the void left by eight seniors last year, the team has added four freshman, one sophomore and three juniors this fall.

“We have a lot of talented new people who I think will contribute tremendously,” midfielder captain Kristen Bissell said.

Bissell is joined by midfielder Kate Morrison and defenders Cristina Valianatos and Lindsay Wytkind as captains, who have all played on the team since their freshman year.

Though the team has a stellar history, coach Greg Herbert said he wants them to focus on the present.

“This season is unique to itself,” he said, “and these girls will make their own mark on Whitman history by themselves.”