By Coach Jesus Santos, Athletics Director

This season, the ISB Dragons soccer team was eligible to compete in their first soccer league, the Middle School Athletics League (MSAL). Membership in this league consists of teams from independent schools in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

“When you’re on the ISB dragons you’re not just forming a soccer team but a loving community.” -Eva G.

Check out this slideshow from the 2016 season!

“My experience as an ISB Dragon was amazing. There was some real competition. But the part I liked the most was that you got to play with your friends and there was lots of sportsmanship. I was a captain for the ISB Dragons and this was one of the best seasons I have ever had as a player. “ -Mason Y.

We assembled a great team made up of 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade students. The Dragons played an outstanding season and only lost two matches. They qualified for the playoffs and entered in third place. The two teams the Dragons faced in the playoffs were undefeated during the season, and they also happened to be the only two teams that ISB had lost to during the regular season.

“Being a part of the Dragons was the best experience of my life and I would not trade it for the world.” -Aurora M.

The Dragons came together to strategize before facing off against their opponents in the semi-finals. After a long and hard played game, ISB defeated Mary McDowell Friends School 3-2. The ISB Dragons advanced to the finals to face Hannah Senesh Community Day School, the top-ranked school the MSAL League. Not only was the Hannah Senesh team undefeated, but they had outscored every other team by many points, including earlier in the season against the Dragons. Determined to win this game, the ISB Dragons planned a careful strategy to neutralize the team’s strong offense formation. The Dragons team members all worked well together and displayed their best performances of the season. We executed the gameplan and were victorious! Not only did we defeat the number one team in the league, but we won 4-0. With this victory, the Dragons were declared the 2016 MSAL Champions! 2016 was an amazing season for Dragons soccer: our first league entered and our first championship won. This was truly one of the best coaching experiences I have ever had. Thank you to Coach Matt Stokes and to the MSAL 2016 soccer championship team: the ISB DRAGONS!

“I knew that coaching this team from beginning to end, regardless of the final outcome, was going to be a wonderful experience. With that said, to witness the strength of this group during those final playoff games was surreal and unforgettable. This Middle School group came together in such a profound way, and it proved to be an unbeatable formula for success when it mattered most. Everybody on the team played in the final game. Everybody on the team deserves to feel great about their spectacular championship-winning performances. It is absolutely a season I will never forget, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of it. Go Dragons!” -Coach Matt Stokes

“It was an exhilarating experience from start to finish. This ISB story reminds me of Leicester City: the underdogs who won the premier league. I was extremely proud of being part of this team. Thanks so much to our awesome coaches for making happen.” -Noah R.