Blazing: OPRF Boys’ Soccer Team Takes 8-Game Win Streak into Playoffs

With eight straight wins, the Oak Park and River Forest High School boys’ soccer team enters the playoffs this week buoyed by two potent ingredients: loads of confidence and high-pressure experience.

Consider these elements:

*A 14-3 record, including a 40-4 scoring edge during that eight-game streak.

*Having the top goal scorer in school history, junior Easton Bogard.

Dubbed “The Golden Hammer” for his blond hair and knack for finding the back of the net with an array of kicks and headers, Bogard’s 18 goals this season is tops on the team. So are his 12 assists—he is on the verge of breaking the career record in that category, as well.

*Being so much more than Bogard.

The Huskies are loaded with skillful offensive threats—the team consistently wins (6-1 record) even when Bogard doesn’t score. Other top scorers include senior Colin Hayes (13 goals), sophomore Bryce Richards (12 goals) and senior captain Jadyn Hsieh-Bailey (11 goals).

*The fresh memory of unprecedented postseason success.

Thanks to innumerable clutch decisions made all over the pitch, last year’s squad became the first in program history to win the Class 3A Sectional championship.

Eight players from last year’s team are back this season. In addition to Hayes and Hsieh-Bailey, among the key cogs who were instrumental in last year’s strong playoff push were captains Isaac Cummings, a senior, and Charlie Maguire, a junior.

*A reliable defense, featuring goalkeeper Christian Dussias, a junior. He is supported by a swarm of stalwart defenders, including seniors Ezra Plotkin and Tukura Hess. As a team, the Huskies have logged eight shutouts while allowing only 13 goals overall.

This coming Tuesday, October 18th, OPRF’s first-round opponent at the Leyden Regional is Lincoln Park High School, which has a record of 12 wins, 10 losses and three ties.

OPRF coach Jason Fried credited the team with resilience and focus, especially amid a spate of injuries throughout the season. Most recently, the Huskies lost junior defender Benjamin Naber when he suffered a broken arm against Addison Trail on Sept. 29th.

“The players are really playing for one another and as a collective unit,” said Fried. “We are playing some of our best soccer at the moment….this team has the ability and personality to make a great run. “

Bogard was an All-State selection in 2021; this year’s selections have not yet been announced. He became the school’s all-time leading scorer during the team’s 5-0 win over Glenbard West on Oct. 6th.

After tying Drew Golz’s career mark of 50 goals on a perfectly placed free kick, several minutes later Bogard became No. 1 all-time by nailing a penalty kick well beyond the goalkeeper’s reach. He has since upped the tally to 56 goals.

Last year, Bogard’s 29 goals (out of the team’s 67) matched the single-season record established by Stephen Golz in 2011. As a freshman, Bogard’s nine goals led the team during the COVID-shortened 11-game season.

“Easton has really earned this record for all the hard work he has put into trying to master his trade,” Fried said. “I also have to give a shout-out to all his teammates who have worked so hard to get him in great scoring opportunities. A record like this doesn’t get broken without the support of a team.”

Last year, the Huskies beat Niles West, 2-0, to win the Regional championship, then knocked off the state’s top-rated team, Sectional host New Trier, 1-0. Four days later, OPRF beat Evanston Township, 3-0, to win the Sectional crown. That victory capped a seven-game win streak that ran OPRF’s record to 19-3.

In the state quarterfinals, OPRF lost 1-0 to Fremd, the eventual state runner-up.