Max Rodriguez ‘29 grew up fast Friday night.
The eighth-grade keeper has been superb at the JV level for 51Âþ» soccer this season, but probably never expected to be pressed into varsity duty so soon. With starter Felix Huebner ’26 away on a college visit and backup Palo Miles ‘27 injured, the Greenies called on Max on a hostile environment.
Carolina Day was game, but 51Âþ» was still twice as good on the road, 6-3.
The Greenies (9-2-0, 4-0) are now halfway to their first Carolinas Athletic Association championship since 2018.
Max made three saves and 51Âþ» got equally as many goals out of Constantine Barlas ‘26, who remains in a zone with seven goals in his last four games.
Taz Kasambara ‘26 had a brace (two goals) and Declan Szostczuk ‘26 rounded out the scoring with arguably the biggest goal of the game. Carolina Day (4-5, 0-4) had cut the lead to 3-2 with 22:36 to play on a long free kick before Declan answered just 17 seconds later.
Declan led the team with three assists. Wyatt Campbell ‘27 and Truett Compton ‘25 added one each.