STA News
Soccer Finishes Non-Conference Schedule Undefeated
STA Soccer’s fall season can be thought of as four different seasons – the early non-conference schedule; the IAC double round robin regular season schedule; the IAC conference tournament; and the DC State tournament if the team qualifies. The Bulldogs finished their 2024 non-conference schedule in style Friday at Steuart Field with a 6-0 win over Jackson-Reed to improve their record to 4-0. In posting their fourth clean sheet in as many games, the Bulldogs followed a familiar script with a couple early goals, dominant ball possession, and a smothering pressure defense. Junior XiXi Espinoza led the way offensively with a hat trick and two assists and wasted no time after the opening kickoff, finishing a Patrick Brady feed in the first minute. Twelve minutes later senior Chris Bates notched his fifth goal of the season with an acrobatic leap to knock in a waist-high ball from Espinoza. Senior Xavier Wigglesworth closed out the first half scoring on another assist from Espinoza in the 31st minute.
Five minutes into the second half senior Tom Brady split two Tiger defenders with a perfectly placed ball to Espinoza, who created separation with two quick touches, then drilled a left-footed shot past the keeper from 18 yards out and a 4-0 STA lead. Patrick Brady got behind the Jackson-Reed defense four minutes later and beat the keeper to an overhead ball from freshman back Will Long, then tapped it home to extend the lead to 5-0. Espinoza completed his hat trick and the Bulldog scoring in the 62nd minute with a run that showcased his blazing speed. Anticipating a long clear from the back line, the junior attack started his run from 50 yards out and blew by three Tiger defenders to control a feed from Tom Brady at 20 yards, then buried another left-footed shot before the keeper could get off his line to cut down the angle.
Through four games, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 17-0. Patrick Brady and Chris Bates lead the team with five goals each. In addition to Espinoza’s three goals, seniors Thomas Bean and Xavier Wigglesworth each have two goals. Currently ranked the top team in the area by The Washington Post, the Bulldogs open IAC play at home Tuesday at 4:30pm against St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes. They will play their first road game of the season Friday at Bullis at 4:30pm.
Located in Washington D.C., St. Albans School is a private, all boys day and boarding school. For more than a century, St. Albans has offered a distinctive educational experience for young men in grades 4 through 12. While our students reach exceptional academic goals and exhibit first-rate athletic and artistic achievements, as an Episcopal school we place equal emphasis upon moral and spiritual education.