HIGHTSTOWN — Bryce Robisch and Reed Grant will do whatever it takes to help the 2021 version of the Peddie School varsity boys’ soccer team be successful.
Respectively, these 6-foot-5 and 6-foot-3 upperclassmen would figure into many teams’ attacks. But fifth-year head coach Malcolm Murphy needs them to help nail down the Falcons’ defense.
So Robisch, a postgraduate from Houston, Tex. who is headed to the Naval Academy in part to play soccer, and Grant, a senior who is one of only a handful of players Murphy has returning to the varsity from two seasons ago when they last played (before the coronavirus pandemic) followed their coach’s directions and set out to take some pressure off junior goalkeeper Ethan Campbell.
In Friday’s season opener, that meant helping Peddie fend off the more seasoned attack of the George School, a squad from Newtown, Pa. which already had two games under its belt.
Robisch, Grant and Campbell (nine saves) fended off waves of drives by the Cougars until play evened out a little more in the second half. In the end, the Falcons were able to fight to a 0-0 tie after 80 minutes of play.
With injuries mounting and an already limited bench, Peddie elected not to play overtime since it was not a conference game.
“When we had our scrimmage a week ago (at Nottingham), it was my third day in New Jersey,” Robisch said.
“It doesn’t take a lot of time to know who can play,” Grant said. “I thought we worked well together.”
“We’ve just got to talk,” Robisch said. “Once we start joking around, we’ll get comfortable with one another.”
Combined at times with senior Andy Chen, junior Kyle Ferguson and freshman Jelani Cine, Robisch and Grant made life tough on George’s skilled tandem of Tyler and Bryce Flowers. Even though the visitors got away double-digit shots, a finish was not to be found, even in the first half when the Cougars held the Falcons without a shot.
“They were tenacious and unrelenting back there, especially with the leadership of Bryce and Reed,” Murphy said. “I was very impressed with the winning attitude they exuded.”
With 26:10 left in the first half, the visitors looked as though they might score when Tyler Flowers lifted a crossing shot over Campbell’s fingertips, only to see the ball float just wide of the far post.
George’s flurries continued until Peddie’s Sam Murphy provided his team with its first shot 2:30 after intermission. The home side’s chances, however, were still few and far between against the Cougars’ backfield of Bill Becker, Denys Sharpylo, C.J. Jaikaria and Safi Baadarani-Feeney, plus goalie Dash Atwood.
“It’s tough because I usually play striker,” Grant said, “but coach needs me to help in the backfield.”
“We tried to get the team moving up the field, but the offense is struggling right now with our injuries up top,” Robisch said.
Even though play was a little more balanced after the break, Grant and Robisch were needed to stay back as the Cougars skimmed one shot off the top of the crossbar.
Then there was the play with just over seven minutes remaining when Tyler Flowers got crunched inside the top of the box, but no whistle sounded to signal a penalty kick.
“After not playing since 2019, we’ve got to build that chemistry again,” Grant said. “We’ve got to adapt to the players we have.”
George (1-1-1) 0 0 — 0
Peddie (0-0-1) 0 0 — 0
Shots: 11 (G), 4 (P); Saves: Atwood 3 (G), Campbell 9 (P).
