Briggs Brown and Helen Wilson
Staff Writer and A&E Editor

It’s a Wednesday night, under the lights at Bolton Field, accompanied by a rowdy student section. The R.J. Reynolds Men’s soccer team matches up with West Forsyth, a team stacked with transfers, many of whom were once part of RJR’s program. In a stunning upset that will be remembered for years, our men’s soccer team triumphed over the top-seeded team in the state. The electrifying match kept fans on the edge of their seats and ultimately concluded in a victory.

“I knew people had expectations of the team, and this was a chance to prove ourselves,” Senior captain and goalkeeper Reid Gunzenhauser said.

Going into the match, there was great anticipation throughout the team; coming off a close game in their last meeting against West Forsyth, they knew they had a good chance of defeating the odds.

“It was a nerve-racking day for us,” Gunzenhauser said. “Every game day should be a little nerve-racking, but you can’t ignore the circumstances; it was Sabio’s last home game, and the big matchup caused everyone on both sides to be on edge most of the day.”

Many assumed the RJR Demons would be no match for the undefeated West Forsyth team. Despite fans’ low confidence, Gunzenhauser and the team always believed in their ability to rise to the challenge.

“I know the quality we have on our team, and I know all the players and how they play,” Gunzenhauser said. “We prepared really well and went into the game ready for almost anything, including the final result. Roach and Sabio do a great job of holding us to a high standard, so beating good teams is where we expect to be.”

West Forsyth started the game strong, leading by one at the twenty-two-minute mark. RJR’s Alexander Kuhner immediately responded by making a penalty kick to tie it up. West Forsyth then scored again at the forty-four-minute mark. Soon after halftime, RJR’s Jean Claude Silva answered with a goal in the forty-eighth minute, followed by another Kuhner penalty kick. West Forsyth kept up the pressure, but the Demons stayed strong.

The final whistle blew, and Bolton Field erupted in cheers. The RJR Men’s soccer team had done the unthinkable, toppling the giants of West Forsyth. The players celebrated on the field, feeling proud of their hard work and perseverance paying off.

“It was truly inspirational and legendary,” Rowdies President Sean Lewis said.

Although the game’s result was more than desired, playoffs were fast approaching, and it was time to refocus and stay fully locked in.

“It was definitely a high moment for us, but we tried to view it more as a stepping stone and confidence booster going into playoffs rather than something to end on,” Gunzenhauser said.

This momentous win is sure to send a ripple through the soccer community, setting a precedent for the program’s success in the coming years.