Soccer Warriors Take Two Wins Against Heated Rival Riverwood

Coach Hemal Patel gives one of his players a celebratory headlock after their winning game against Riverwood.

Sloan Hooper

Coach Hemal Patel gives one of his players a celebratory headlock after their winning game against Riverwood.

On March 8, both Warrior varsity soccer teams beat the Riverwood Raiders. The intense games proved that hard work and strong play are always a winning combination.

The Warrior boys team beat the state-ranked Raiders 1-0, thanks to senior center back Quadry Glass, a defender who scored the game’s only goal. “We knew this was a big task and we rose to the occasion,” said Hemal Patel, boys varsity head coach. “We have been preparing for the season since August. It was a nice reward for all of the work that we have put in.”

Patel mentioned the team played three games prior to Riverwood. After the team lost to Woodward 2-1, team captains picked up the intensity of practice and the team shook itself out of its complacency.

“This year we did not want to repeat on what happened last year,” Patel said.

A win against Riverwood boosted the Warrior spirit. “It felt really great to go out on our home turf and win since last year their fans were rude,” stated senior forward Mills Mosley. “With the past two wins, we came feeling very confident about ourselves and made every opportunity happen,” he said.

In contrast to a tight game in the boy’s match, the girl’s varsity team routed its Raider competition by the overwhelming score of 10-0. “When we got up four to nothing it seemed like maybe their confidence went down and it went from there,” said sophomore Natalie Lau, a center midfielder, who netted two goals in the course of the evening. “It was an off night for them and these things can always happen in soccer.”

Both programs have continued their ascendence in a competitive region. It’s always a big occurrence when Warriors can take two wins from a region rival.

Subsequent boys varsity games since (3/8) Riverwood game:

NAHS 2 Sprayberry 0

NAHS 6 Atlanta International School 0

NAHS 4 Forsyth Central 2

NAHS 2 North Springs 0