The boys soccer team’s big season came to an end Saturday when the Highlanders lost 3-1 to Norwin in a first-round playoff game.

This was the team’s first time making playoffs in years. 

Baldwin’s goal was scored by junior Zachary Stewart and was assisted by senior Raymond Thomas.

“We went into the game with a positive mindset. However, we lacked the energy going into the second half,” junior Kurt Schemm said. 

The team’s biggest issues were creating consistent offensive opportunities throughout the game.

“We struggled to finish our offensive opportunities in the final third,” Schemm said.

The Highlanders’ defense played well but at times was also inconsistent. 

“We slacked a little on defense,” senior Jay Mwete said. “It led to sloppy goals,”

The team’s midfield played strong against Norwin’s for the entirety of the game. Senior Pasiphique Oswald created offensive chances for the forwards with the help of Stewart. 

Norwin has regularly made playoffs and had defeated the Highlanders in a regular-season game early in the season.

“We knew what we were walking into physically and how hard it was going to be mentally,” Mwete said.  

None of the Baldwin players had experience in playoffs, which affected the team’s mentality.

“We got overwhelmed and the pressure got to some of us,” Schemm said.

Next year, however, Baldwin will enter the season having already been through the postseason.

“We just didn’t know what to expect as far as the playoff experience,” Mwete said. “Next year we can try to keep this in mind and do better.”