Can Wildebeest soccer trample PVAC again?

It hasn’t been easy for Sandy Spring Friends on the offensive end thus far, as it’s had to replace all-time top goal-scorers and assist-leaders Kyle Cassidy and Ethan Price-Chu, respectively. But with a 4-2-1 record through the first half of the year, they’ve done a noble job.

‘‘I think we’re pleased with the progress, because we’re conscious of the obstacles that lie ahead of us this season,” said Wildebeest head coach Eduardo Polon. ‘‘We’re always looking forward to different types of motivations, whether extrinsically or intrinsically, and I think there’s a standard of excellence that’s been achieved over the years. This group is eager to not be a forgotten class.”

The ’Beest do have mainstays holding the fort while a youth movement develops. Three-year starting goalkeeper Sam Schneider is one of the best around, and has pitched five shutouts. And they may boast the best midfielder in the Potomac Valley Athletic Conference in senior Aaron Lewis.

It’s up top where the bulk of the maturity needs to take place. The Wildebeest have replaced Cassidy with a quartet of scorers-by-committee, all of whom have produced early and often thus far. Freshman Reed Milbrath and sophomore Luke Savonis both have five goals and an assist apiece, while junior Zheng Wang and senior J.K. Woo each have four and two.

‘‘I think we’re doing things as we initially planned,” said Polon. We knew it’d require the response of productivity by many. Productively, guys are starting to fill the void as the year has gone on.”