MATTAPOISETT — For 10 years, Old Rochester boys soccer players of the past and present have come together to play an annual game around Thanksgiving. In each of those 10 years, a team of program alumni have defeated the current high school team.

On Friday, Nov. 29, the team of alumni was on the ropes, trailing 4-1 in the second half to their younger counterparts.

Head soccer coach and school principal Mike Devoll said he thought it might finally be the year where the alumni team would lose.

The three-goal lead for the high school team would quickly evaporate, as the alumni came back to win 5-4.

The annual matchup gives former players a chance to catch up and run off some of the calories gained during Thanksgiving festivities.

“It’s great to see the guys and hear about what they are up to,” said Devoll. “It’s also nice to hear that they have been following along with our season.”

Devoll said that the turnout of alumni shows that people in the program appreciate each other.

“We just want them to keep coming back and being a part of it,” he said. “Some of our 2024 graduates came back to play on the alumni team. It’s fun to see they have played for both sides.”

Devoll said that each year, the alumni have a lot of pride, and do not want to be a part of the group that ends the long winning streak.

“It’s really crazy,” said Devoll of the team of alumni’s consistent success. “Ten times in a row — I can’t believe it.”