Dunwoody Boys Soccer Welcomes Break

Spring break might have come at just the right time for Dunwoody soccer players.

After their 9-0 season start began to unravel with consecutive losses to Lakeside and Marist, they got two weeks off to regroup emotionally and physically before winding down their regular season against Southwest DeKalb, Stephenson and Stone Mountain beginning Tuesday.

The Wildcats (9-2) outscored their first nine opponents 50-2 with seven shutouts, before losing 1-0 in overtime to only once-beaten Lakeside and 4-1 to undefeated Marist. Against Lakeside, Dunwoody lost on a header in the final 28 seconds of overtime, and against Marist, the Wildcats couldn't overcome a 3-0 deficit.

"After both those games we were pretty down, especially the way we lost to Lakeside," said keeper Gray LaRose. "That was pretty upsetting, actually.

"We thought we had a chance in both games and played strong," he added of falling short to their two winningest opponents so far. "Lakeside and Marist were two very good teams."

The Wildcats welcomed the physical break, considering how beaten up they'd been through the season's first three quarters. It seems most everyone's got some kind of nagging injury.

Striker Rodrigo Perriera's nose was broken against Tucker, and LaRose's jaw was dislocated by a kicking teammate. Fullback Yagesh Panta and midfielder Kamran Ahmad, both starters, sat out the Marist game because of an injured foot and leg, respectively.

"The first couple games were pretty rough, but that (Tucker) game was the most physical one we've played," LaRose said of beating the Tigers 1-0. "We like playing physical games, though. We're stronger than other teams, so in physical games, I feel we'll always win the battle."

Fullback Tom Behrend, who scored a header goal in the Wildcats' penultimate win over Carver, said he likes coach Mike Fleming's view that play after spring break is an entirely new season.

"We're a little bit down," he said, "but I feel like after the break, well be fine."

Last season, Dunwoody was eliminated by Grady on penalty kicks in the region tournament and failed to reach the state playoffs. This season, the Region 6-AAAA Wildcats expect to be in state come April 27.

"If we keep playing like we have, and keep our feet on the ground," Panta had said during the win streak, "we can beat anybody in the state."