It took 80 minutes of regulation play, two overtime periods, and penalty kicks before the GFS Boys Varsity Team were named Friends Schools League Quaker Cup Champions today. The Tigers beat Academy of the New Church, hosted by ANC, after dropping to the Lions 2-1 in the regular season. 

The Quaker Cup victory is a sweet ending to a season filled with six sour games lost by just one goal, four of which were FSL games. Despite the hard-fought losses, the team fought to the bitter end of every match with their eye on post-season play. Their focus paid off as Quaker Cup Champs! 

"It was a great game! It was so special to clinch the trophy with such a young group of guys who have been working so hard for so many weeks now. It's been really impressive the way everyone has stepped up in big games like this, and it was the perfect culmination to a hard-fought season, especially for the seniors," said Varsity Head Coach Sam McIlvain. 

"While championships are great, and the boys soccer program has had so much recent success, I see so much personal growth in up and down seasons," said Katie Bergstrom Mark, Director of Athletics. "The development of the squad was on display in this culminating Quaker Cup game, the focus was on resiliency, stepping up because you have a common goal. 

"Of playing well for each other- in this case not a championship- but perhaps so much more important," added Bergstrom Mark. "In my experience in life, there are many Quaker Cup moments, when perhaps the stakes aren’t at the highest level, but it’s critical to be able to come together for a common goal. GFS soccer is well positioned for the future, a big thank you to the seniors!"

CLICK here for the Varsity Boys Soccer Quaker Cup Champions' photo album.