Printer Friendly Version - Kosh Helped the Indians Dominate on Defense

Senior defender Noah Kosh was an integral part of the success of the Guilford boys’ soccer team in 2019, helping the Indians notch 15 victories and win the SCC title. Noah will play golf for Guilford in the spring. Photo courtesy of Noah Kosh

Noah Kosh found unique ways to defend the turf as a member of the Guilford boys’ soccer squad. This past fall, the senior helped the Indians have an outstanding season that saw the team allow just 12 goals while winning the SCC title and advancing to the Class L state semifinals. Noah was a central defender who joined forces with fellow senior Aidan Buchanan to protect the net ahead of goalkeeper John Kosh, who is Noah’s twin brother.

As twins, Noah and Josh share a lot. They’re also members of the Guilford golf team.

“Whether we’re friends or differ on things depends on the day,” Noah jokes. “We were both urged on at a young age by our parents, who got us started in pee wee programs. Our older sister Molly still plays soccer at Skidmore College. So, we came along to keep the family tradition going.”

After starting out as a midfielder and an attacker, Noah was moved to the back line by his Premier League coach Greg Cumpstone, who is also the head coach at Hand. When he hit high school, Noah was brought back up front for his first two years with the Indians. Then when Curtis Gullette became Guilford’s head coach midway through the 2018 season, he moved Noah from the striker position to defense.

“You see certain intangible things in players. I guess Greg saw it first. Then I did,” says Gullette. “Noah’s instincts for the game and those skills that you can’t teach kick in. He’s a natural as a defender. He’s the perfect fit there.”

Noah’s pairing with Buchanan also proved a perfect fit. Together, they formed one of the best defensive duos in the state.

“We were a defensive-minded team this past year,” Noah says. “We could get one or sometimes two goals a game, so we depended on defending well. We kept plenty of potential shots away from John.”

Guilford took its first loss when the Indians dropped a 1-0 decision to Cheshire in their fifth game of the year. After that, the Indians rattled off a stretch of 17 games where they didn’t take a defeat, including a 1-0 victory over Hand in the championship game of the SCC Tournament. Anthony Ippolito scored the lone goal of the game early in the second half and then Guilford’s defense went to work.

“They had some chances, but they couldn’t score. It was such a well-played game by both teams. A beauty. I still watch clips from it,” says Noah. “It was so nice to bring back that trophy to Guilford. The team hadn’t won an SCC title in 10 years. It was exciting.”

Noah now turns his attention to the golf course and is getting ready for the upcoming season. Last year, the Indians had a great campaign that saw them win a division title and then turn in some solid postseason showings.

“I’m looking forward to the year, because all of our top players are back,” Noah says. “We were fourth at the SCCs and did well in states. We should be that good or maybe even better this year.”

Noah is taking Advanced Placement courses in physics, calculus, and micro-economics as a senior. He is looking to attend college at either UConn or Emmanuel College in Boston.

“I’d like to earn a degree in the medical field,” says Noah. “Emmanuel may be a good fit. I’ve already talked to the golf coach, and there’s a possibility that I could also play soccer if I go there.”