After the Whistle: The Salisbury School Boy’s Soccer
SALISBURY, Md. – The Salisbury School boy’s soccer program has never won an ESIAC championship, but this year they’ve put themselves in position to make history.
Senior midfielder Colby Sieg has only ever known life as a Dragon. “I started here in pre-K, so yeah, 14 years,” he said, “and this is the last year, so it means a lot to try and win this year.” Attending The Salisbury School for his entire educational and athletic career, Sieg never knew what it was like to win more than three games in a year for his school. Until this season.
“[It’s] like a mentality thing. Like, I think everybody wants it more this year. Like, practices are more intense, games are more intense,” Sieg said.
Nicknamed “The General” by his team, Sieg is one of the engines that has propelled Salisbury School boy’s soccer to a perfect 11-0 regular season record after going 2-10, 3-9, and 3-11 in the years leading up to 2025.
“Our passing and our communication is great. That’s really what we strive on,” said senior goalkeeper Owen Holder. “I mean, we got Colby, who’s always talking the whole game, and he keeps us straight and keeps us locked down.”
After having surgery on his back in May, and working tirelessly to return–despite doubts he would be ready to play this season at all–Holder has helped lead a defense that’s recorded 7 shutouts. “Last year, I mean, I started finding my footing, but I wasn’t as confident as I was this year. This year, I know that if I make the mistakes, somebody will bail me out. If someone else makes a mistake, I’ll bail them out.”
Meanwhile, on the other end of the pitch, senior striker Niland Gallo has been putting together a remarkable offensive season: 27 goals in 11 games, as part of an offense averaging more than 4 per contest.
“It’s been a career year… I’m blessed,” Gallo said, crediting the team as a whole for his offensive success before singling out Sieg. “I mean, I thank everybody around me. Thanks to one of our guys on the midfield, Colby. He probably has like 25 assists, you know? It’s amazing.”
As they chase history heading into the ESIAC tournament, the group, led by Head Coach Kenny Driscoll, is confident in the team they’ve grown into.
“Last year, it’s the same team. This year it’s the same team. Like, the chemistry just keeps building and building and building,” Gallo said.
“We’re always having fun, laughing and joking around. But we know when it’s time to come out and compete and get ready,” said Holder.
“It’d mean everything for the players, the coach…It’s never happened in our school history,” Sieg said of winning a championship. “It would be awesome to have an unbeaten season and win the ESIAC, it would be awesome and something I would remember forever.”
The Salisbury School Dragons begin play in the ESIAC tournament at 4 p.m. on Wednesday at home against Delmarva Christian.