LANSDALE -- Thunder and lightning was in the forecast, and dark clouds loomed overhead as Germantown Academy took to Dock Mennonite Academy on Aug. 30 to take on the Pioneers for their season opener. While the weather held off until the game was finished, Dock faced a deluge of goals from the Patriots, who came away with a 5-2 win. Head Coach Kurt Wetzel said he was pleased to start the season off with a result.

"We had a really nice stretch where we put together a series of nice passes, we scored a couple of quick goals, we moved the ball well," Wetzel said. "There's a lot to learn. We play Shipley on Thursday and that's going to be a very difficult game. This is a good step." 

The Patriots dominated possession early, but did not find the back of the net until 15 minutes into the game. Eli Torrey '23 had shot smothered by a Dock Mennonite defender, only for the deflected ball to find the feet of Jake Kafrissen '23, who beat the keeper for the opening score. Just five minutes later, Nick Venziale '23 cut inside past his defender and buried a shot to double the lead.

With time winding down in the first half, Kafrissen struck again to give the Patriots a 3-0 advantage. The Pioneers struck early in the second half to cut into the lead, but the outcome was never in doubt. Venziale would tally his second goal of the game in the second half, while Kafrissen ended the day with a hat trick. Tyler Weiss '23 brought the GA total to five scores on the day. Dock registered a goal on a penalty kick with less than a minute left.  

"We really possessed well and played one-and-two touch soccer, but when we had space we took them on and got shots off," Kafrissen said. "[The hat trick] feels great. I've been working all summer and to see it come together in the first game of the season, it's promising. I'm excited about the season."

Germantown Academy (1-0) scrimmages Shipley School at Carey Stadium on Sept. 1 at 4 pm.