Staples Grads Take Preston Hirten 7-v-7 Title; Everyone A Winner
Over 100 soccer players — former Staples, Mary Washington and Beachside teammates; recent and current Staples players; family members and friends — spent a glorious holiday weekend morning honoring Preston Hirten ’07.
The 5th annual 7-v-7 tournament — played in honor of the All-State player who died of a heart ailment during the 2009 pre-season at the University of Mary Washington — was the best ever.
The weather was perfect. The standard of play was very high. Everyone — including the scores of spectators — had a fantastic time.
Noah Bender’s hat trick sparked a team of recent Staples grads to a 3-1 victory in the finals. They beat an older team of Staples grads — including some of Preston’s former teammates.
Bender was joined on the winning side by Lorenz Esposito (now playing at the University of Connecticut), Joe Greenwald, James Hickok (Dartmouth College), Dylan Hoy (Wesleyan University), Zack Pensak, Greg Shikowitz, and rising Staples sophomore Matt Kasanoff.
Dave Sharpe led the 2nd-place squad in goal, stopping 2 semifinal PKs to help them advance to the finals. His side included Liam Bohonnon, Gennadiy Gurevich, Nicky Hoberman (who played at Union College), Jackson Lesser, Taylor Stuart and Sophia Vallone.
The weekend began with a Brazil-Colombia World Cup-watching party yesterday, and continued with a barbecue at Marc and Lisa Hirten’s home. The celebration of Preston’s life and legacy continues tonight, with a barbecue at Compo Beach.
Kudos to Matt Lamb, Dave Sharpe for their superb organizational skills, and the Hirten and Gendell families for their awesome hosting.
4 generations of #15 — Preston’s number — gather at the Hirtens’ house. From left: Frankie Bergonzi ’11, James Hickok ’13, Jack Scott ’14, Andrew Puchala ’15.
The older current Staples team. Front (from left): Daniel Reid, Noah Schwaeber, Andrew Puchala, Gabe Pensak, Jordan McNair. Standing: Daniel Brill, Nate Argosh, Michael Reid, Charlie Leonard ’14, Patrick Beusse.
The younger current Staples team (from left): Shane Dasbach, Luka Autard, Andrew Osorio, Sebastian Wick, Thomas Nealon, Kenny Brill, Jerrett Rende, Max Hammer.
The winning side: recent Staples grades. Front (from left): Noah Bender, Lorenz Esposito, Dylan Hoy. Rear: Zack Pensak, Joe Greenwald, Greg Shikowitz, James Hickok.
Another team of recent grads. Front, Jack Scott. Rear: Taylor McNair, Alex McDowell, Robb McDowell, Max Hoberman, Aaron Liu, Kyle Hoberman.
Preston Hirten’s teammates from the 2006 team. Front (from left): Greg Bachman, Brett Kaplan, Ben King. Rear: Craig Wolgast, Justin Rodriguez, Matt Sych, Alex Gendell.
