Sentinel right back James Idems boxes out Alconbury striker Keiran Daley as the ball goes toward the end line during a March 16, 2024, game at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

SPANGDAHLEM, Germany – The Alconbury soccer program underwent a major change this spring.

Mainly, going from two programs to one.

The Dragons didn’t have enough players to fill out separate boys and girls teams, meaning they will have one co-ed roster competing in DODEA-Europe’s boys Division III in 2024. Alconbury is looking at it as a positive.

“We have more depth to our squad,” Alconbury midfielder Leo Politis said. “We have a lot of good girl players, like my sister (Sofia). We’re still going to put them in the starting lineup.”

That depth was put on display during the Dragons’ 2-1 road victory over fellow co-ed foe Spangdahlem on Saturday afternoon.

Four of the starting 11 were girls, including junior goalkeeper Jessica Bradley and junior co-captain Sofia Politis in the middle, the latter of whom acted as a conduit in attack at times. Both players were members of the girls team that finished runner-up in Division III last spring.

Coach Leslie Atkins-Hash credited the leadership of Sofia Politis and co-captain Aaron Dudley for helping the team adjust to its new makeup on the fly.

“The biggest challenge is having them blend as one and understand that it’s not a boys team that girls play on, but that it’s a co-ed team,” Atkins-Hash said. “We have leadership coming from both sides, and that’s really brought the team together.”

Spangdahlem goalkeeper Isaiah Riley spreads out to try to stop Alconbury midfielder Leo Politis during the second half of a March 16, 2024, game at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. Politis scored on the play. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Spangdahlem forward Jeremy White runs after a ball during a March 16, 2024, game against Alconbury at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. Dragon defender Aaron Dudley, right, chases after the ball and man. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Alconbury midfielder Leo Politis passes during a March 16, 2024, game against the Sentinels at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Alconbury midfielder M.J. Hash hits a pass in the box as Sentinel midfielder Xavian Appiah defends during a March 16, 2024, game at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

Sentinel midfielder Malachi Taherimorvat heads a ball during a March 16, 2024, game against Alconbury at Spangdahlem High School in Spangdahlem, Germany. (Matt Wagner/Stars and Stripes)

The win could help the Dragons (1-1) come closer together.

Alconbury dropped its opener to AFNORTH 7-0 and needed a confidence boost, Leo Politis said. The team got it at Spangdahlem.

“Our heads were all dropped after that loss,” he said. “So, getting this win, our heads are up.”

The effort started on defense, shielding Bradley from most threats until almost the final whistle.

One such threat came in the 27th minute, when a trio of Sentinel attackers got behind the Alconbury back line 35 yards from goal. A pair of Dragons got back, though, and blocked the first shot before Spangdahlem forward Aniya Robinson picked up the rebound and fired wide.

It wasn’t until the 78th minute when the Sentinels (2-1) finally found the back of the net. Midfielder Caleb Truscott launched in a corner to the far post, where teammate Xavian Appiah was unmarked. The central midfielder rose up and headed the ball into the net from a few yards out.

Atkins-Hash credited the play of Dudley and sophomore Taye Vickerstaff for stomping out the danger for most of the match.

“Every single one of them could play up top and be successful and scoring up top, but their ability to communicate and stop challenging attacks like Spangdahlem had is amazing,” Atkins-Hash said. “I know our keeper is very happy to have such a strong defensive line.”

That Sentinel goal proved too little, too late thanks in large part to Leo Politis.

The junior stepped up from his deep-lying midfield position to score twice early in each half.

The first came with a little bit of luck in the fourth minute. A cross from the left wing ricocheted off a couple of players in the 6-yard box, including Spangdahlem goalkeeper Isaiah Riley, before landing at Politis’ feet. He kept his cool and slotted it home.

Then, in the 55th minute, Politis found himself once again on goal, this time with Riley coming off his line. Politis swung his left foot to place it around Riley and make it 2-0.

“I just wanted to put it away, finish it,” Politis said of the first goal. “It was just wide open, me and the goal. I had to be careful. I didn’t want to just smoke it.

“I knew the goalie was on the near post, so I just had to push it to the far post,” Politis said of his second. “It was a good ball from my teammate to find me there.”

The Sentinels struggled to get much going for most of the match, but coach Javier Graham praised his team’s effort, especially over the final 15 minutes.

He also mentioned how Appiah and Riley showed improvement from last year. Appiah, a junior, isn’t afraid to use his head (literally), and it showed on the goal. Riley, a sophomore, made seven saves Saturday, including one at point-blank range late in the first half to keep it a one-goal match.

“Last year, he was so new to the game, and you can see how much he’s learned over the year,” Graham said of Riley. “He’s taken the initiative on his own to learn the position better.

“Some of the shots today last year would have been a struggle for him. Now that he’s training, he’s working hard, he’s focused, you can see how much better he is in front of the sticks.”

Both teams will get a few weeks off for spring break. Alconbury hosts Ansbach on April 6, while Spangdahlem gets three weeks off before heading to Baumholder on April 13.