ORR Boys Soccer returns for full season after covid-shortened year

Sep 7, 2021

Soccer is back at ORR after a successful, albeit truncated, 2020 season.

The boys soccer team is on track to play a full slate of games this fall after a bizarre half-season last spring that saw headers and throw-ins outlawed and masks required.

This year, things feel a bit more normal with rules and schedules returning to their pre-pandemic standards.

“I think the theme of this season is getting back to normal,” said Head Coach and High School Principal Michael Devoll. “It’s good to get back to the old-style schedule.”

Last year, each team in the conference played each other just once. This year, as in past seasons, they’ll play each other twice.

Despite the rule changes last year, Devoll’s team was dominant in the conference, losing just one game in the regular season and making it all the way to the semi-finals of the playoffs.

This year, they will look to build on that record.

“We had a very successful season last year,” said Devoll. “[This year], we should be a contender for best team in the league.”

Devoll’s team captains echoed his sentiment.

“I think we’re pretty good, the best we’ve looked in a while,” said Senior Captain Brett Smith who plays center defensive midfield on the team. “We’ve got a core group we’ve had for two or three years now that has good chemistry.”

Captain Brendan Burke agreed and emphasized the effort that his teammates have put in over the shortened off-season.

“We’ve put in a lot of good work,” said Burke, also a senior midfielder. “We’ve had a lot of players step up who got faster and stronger.”

George Barry, who is also a senior captain and midfielder, said he expects the team to finish in the top two this season, citing better depth as a key improvement.

“I think [the team] is better than last year,” he said. “We’re going to contend for the title.”

The Boys Varsity and JV teams will open the season with a non-conference matchup against Fairhaven at 3:45 p.m. on Sept. 8 in Fairhaven. The home opener will be the following week against Greater New Bedford RVTHS at the same time.