By Owen Lingerfelt and Jack Neese

Photo courtesy of Jack Neese.

After a tough loss in the boys Division I soccer state quarterfinals to Bishop O’Connell, Shaan Agarwal (‘25) was disheartened, as it was his final high school soccer game. On the varsity team since his Sophomore year, Agarwal contributed 29 goals and 32 assists throughout his career. Agarwal, who is also a Senior Class Co-President, had the privilege to be a captain of this year’s team, along with Joshua Parker (‘25), and Peter Hartmann (‘25), who he said were “outstanding co-captains.” Agarwal was influenced early in his career by peers in the classes of 2023 and 2024; players such as Charles Nolde (‘24), Robbie Aboud (‘23), and his brother Rohan Agarwal (‘23), were mentors Agarwal constantly looked up to.

Looking into the team’s future, Agarwal spoke about the plethora of underclassmen on this year’s team, who he thinks will “be key to the team’s success next year.” Some of the up-and-coming players that started for the team this year were goalkeeper Ryland Musick (‘27), winger Nassir Diggs (‘28), center back Ben Hager (‘27), and more. These younger guys had no option but to step up for the team this year if they wanted to succeed. Agarwal also hopes that 4th-year returners, and possible future captains, Taylor Jenkins (‘26) and Rhodes Neuner (‘26) will lead the team in 2025. With their guidance, he thinks that they will have tremendous success. Although Agarwal believes they will have “all of the pieces to the puzzle,” he is worried about whether the team will be able to “solve the puzzle” and work through the challenges that might occur. 

Overall, Agarwal loved the players and coaches he had to opportunity to play with over his three years, saying he “wouldn’t trade it for the world” and that he “loved every second of it.”

Featured image credit: Jack Neese.