As Rivalry Day fast approaches, many students in the Friends School community are getting excited.

Rivalry Day technically started on Wednesday, September 27th, with the boys cross country meet. Girls tennis and girls cross country also play on an alternate date, the 30th.

But the main event will be at Park School’s campus on Saturday, October 1st. Below is the schedule of games, and a short preview predicting the winner of each.*

Boys Cross Country – Park [0-0] vs. Friends [2-0], Wednesday, September 28, 4:15 at Sugar Campus

While Park has yet to officially place in B Conference play, they did participate in the St. Paul’s Invitational earlier in the month. At this invitational, Park beat Friends, with a score of 91 compared to Friends’ 101. While Park did win this matchup, the score was largely affected by a DNF from a Friends runner. Estimating where this runner would have finished if not for suffering an injury, Friends would likely have ended with a rough final score of 86. So this matchup will be close, but the Quakers have a good chance.

CONFIRMED WINNER: Friends

Girls Cross Country – Park [2-0] vs. Friends [2-1], Friday, September 30, 4:00 at Sugar Campus

These teams have matched up most recently in the Spiked Shoe Invitational on September 24th. Park only sent three runners, so these results are tough to draw conclusions from. Overall, both teams seem very evenly matched. It looks to be another tight head-to-head between cross country teams. The duo of Kaylyn Parks and Audrey Lin lead the Quakers, and both runners look to spearhead the rest of the team. Friends has already beat Park at their home course, and would have been be likely to take the matchup at Park’s Sugar Campus – but injuries to key runners place the team in a precarious spot. The result will ultimately be determined by the depth of the Quakers.

PREDICTED WINNER: Friends

Girls Tennis – Park [2-3] vs. Friends [3-2], Friday, September 30, 4:00 at Stevenson University Greenspring Campus

Park took the first matchup between the teams 4-1. Friends has been riding a 3-game winning streak, including a 5-0 victory over Mercy High School. While Park is on a 2-game skid of their own, losses to top teams John Carrol and SPSG should not discourage them. Friends will try to play upset and take the rematch, but the likelihood of flipping two matches is low. Overall, this looks to be Park’s game to lose.

PREDICTED WINNER: Park

Boys Junior Varsity Soccer – Park [4-3-1] vs. Friends [1-3-2], Saturday, October 1, 11:00 at Kelly Field (main campus)

JV soccer will look to pounce early in this matchup. Getting the first game on Saturday is no easy feat. The Quakers need to take the energy out of the opposing crowd, and take command of the game. Park will be looking to capitalize on the momentum of an 8-1 result against Glenelg. Friends has already won the first matchup 2-1. That matchup was at home, and this time the Park crowd will be looking to rally behind their players. Don’t be surprised if the Bruins start the day’s games with a win.

PREDICTED WINNER: Park

Girls Varsity Field Hockey – Park [2-3] vs. Friends [0-4], Saturday, October 1, 1:00 at Kelly Field (main campus)

Both teams are looking for their first conference win, and what better time than Rivalry Day? The Quakers’ offense needs to be more efficient, and develop a lead. Park and Friends rely on a stout defense to carry them to victory. Both teams have had trouble getting off the starting blocks this year, and the first goal scorer will have a huge advantage in this matchup. Expect a low-scoring, defensive battle. Park’s offense has been more consistent, which gives them the slightest edge in this matchup.

PREDICTED WINNER: Park

Girls Varsity Soccer – Park [3-1] vs. Friends [4-5], Saturday, October 1, 2:45 at Kelly Field (main campus)

This is one of the few matchups where the two sides do not share a conference. Park is in the C Conference, and Friends is in the B. So the records here can be deceiving. The Quakers have a high-powered offense, led by Daryn Barnes. Friends’ defense has been struggling as of late, giving up 13 goals in their last two games. Park has played in almost all low-scoring affairs thus far. Aside from an offensive explosion against Oldfields, the Bruins have yet to score more than four goals in a single contest. This game favors Friends, but it’s all about the defensive consistency.

PREDICTED WINNER: Friends

Boys Varsity Soccer – Park [6-4] vs. Friends [3-6], Saturday, October 1, 4:45 at Kelly Field (main campus)

The potential deciding game will be high-energy from both fans and players. Park looks strong after a 3-game win streak, including a 2-1 win in extra time against St. Mary’s. Friends will be looking to get back to full strength with the return of star goalkeeper Jonah Zalis. Hopefully this addition will stop the bleeding and give the Quakers the edge. The numerous Friends senior players should hopefully be able to handle the high pressure atmosphere. This game feels the closest to a tossup, but Friends will hopefully prevail.

PREDICTED WINNER: Friends

PREDICTED FINAL SCORE : 4-3 Friends

Rivalry Day looks to be a close contest this year. The Quakers will look to keep the cup at Deering Field, and Park will be looking to reclaim it for the first time since the COVID pandemic. Based on the Quill’s predictions, Friends Athletics will remain unrivaled this year.

 *All team records are taken from the MIAA and IAAM websites. Times listed are subject to change, and are taken from the Park School website.