Montgomery Blair Boys Soccer a Team to Watch in 2015

The fall season may still be young, but it isn't too early to realize Montgomery Blair's boys varsity soccer team is in the midst of a special season. The Blazers are 5-0 so far, picking up wins against Montgomery County rivals Northwood, Springbrook and Gaithersburg. Blair has also beaten a pair of Howard County schools, Marriotts Ridge and Atholton.

Blair is a senior laden team this year, led by their captains Jimmy McMillian, Sean Munroe and Miguel Lopez (pictured below). McMillian is a winger and is the team's leading scorer, recording four of the team's 16 goals. In the team's most recent game against Northwood, he netted a hat trick. Munroe lines up on the right wing, while Lopez is the team's striker.

Ronaldo Sotelo has been a superb addition to Blair's midfield. There has been excellent chemistry between Sotelo and the team's other starting midfielders, Jordi Long, Kevin Hernandez Molina and Diego Guarniz Layza, who are all returners this year. Sotelo joins seniors Mike Lake and Diego Melendez as first year varsity players who have made an immediate impact for the Blazers this season.

On defense, the unit is led by Jesse Griff McMahon and Austin Kokkanakis, two converted midfielders. Blair has only conceded three goals in their first five games.

Blair's bright start makes it look like they have a lot to look forward to in 2015. The team would surely like to make more of an impact in the postseason than they did last year, when they lost in the first round of the MPSSAA 4A state tournament. For head coach John Haigh, it is Blair's game against the team that knocked them out in the postseason that has him most excited.

"B-CC has amazing fans who travel anywhere in the county to support their team. The atmosphere is always intense, with the boys pushing themselves 110% until the final whistle blows," said Haigh. "It's a fixture that we're looking forward to playing, and it's always great to see the sportsmanship shown after such a hard fought game."