Soccer Closes Season with Friendlies vs. the Boston Bolts

The U19 and U17 teams pose for a photo together at Penn State University in the fall of 2022. Photo provided.

Over the last weekend, both Northwood Soccer teams had the pleasure of hosting the Boston Bolts for their last games of the season. The boys enjoyed a long season of hard work and dedication and were excited to wrap up the year at home.

The U17 kicked off the weekend by breezing past the opposition. The Bolts are no easy task as they are one of the biggest soccer clubs in the Massachusetts area. The 17s, however, were on a different level. They were everywhere on the field and making every extra run, knowing it would be the last time they could do so this season. The U17 ended up beating the Boston Bolts with a 6-1 victory. Jace Donawa and Diego Green were the two standouts of the game, both finishing the game with two goals. Jace had this to say on the game: “It was great to help the team out with the two goals, and I couldn’t be happier to end the year off on a good note.” Other goals came from AJ Etumnu ’25 and Quinn Roth ’25. Captain Mitch Baker had this to say: “It was a great performance from the lads and the best way to end off a great year. I’m looking forward to recharging in the summer for an even better season with the 19s next year.”

The U19 had a more difficult game versus the Bolts. The 19s started off very slow and let in 3 goals in a very small period of the game. After a couple of swaps by Coach Moodey, the team started playing a lot better and controlling the game more. They eventually got back two goals, coming from Sachiel Ming ’24 and Jeremy Tsang ’23, but those weren’t enough as the Bolts scored a fourth to end the game. Although the boys didn’t get the result they wanted, by no means was that a performance they couldn’t be proud of as their last game of the year. Thebe Mosehathebe, the U19 senior, had this to say after the game: “We’ve had an up and down year and could have achieved a lot more together, but I’m proud of the boys this year: we never stopped fighting and always gave it our everything. Thank you, everyone, for this much-enjoyed year.”

As the seasons are over and summer is quickly approaching, the players are getting ready for graduation and going away for summer. The Northwood Soccer team is excited about what’s in store next year. With players leaving for college, the U17 moving up to U19, and new recruits coming in—there is a lot of hope for a successful season next year. Northwood Soccer would also like to thank everyone for their support this year. It has truly meant a lot and has not gone unnoticed. See you next year!

Humans of Northwood: Hudson DiNapoli ’23

“I am from Syracuse, NY. I am a first-year senior here at Northwood. I heard about Northwood through a current member of the Prep Hockey team and hockey recruitment. After hearing more about it and connecting with the coaches, I thought it was a good fit for me and decided to start this new journey.

“After graduation, I plan to play Junior Hockey and then hopefully play Division 1 hockey. I hope to become a professional hockey player in the future, but if that does not happen, I would like to pursue a business career.

“In my free time here at Northwood, I normally just spend time with my friends, work in the gym, and play the guitar. When I’m at home, I pretty much do the same and spend time with friends and family. I also like to sing, which not many people know about, but I don’t like singing in public.

“I’ve had a great year here at Northwood and couldn’t be happier with my decision to come here, and I’m excited for what the future holds for me.”

As told to Aly El Mofty ’23. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Humans of Northwood: Noah Leddel ’23

This is my second year here at Northwood. I am from Hong Kong. I came to Northwood as a reclassed 11th grader to pursue my dream of playing college soccer. I had heard about Northwood from a few friends who had already joined from Hong Kong, and after speaking with them, I grew more interested in the project. I was attracted to joining Northwood because I knew I would play high-level and year-long soccer. I was also interested because of Northwood’s balance between academics and athletics.

In the future, I would like to play professional soccer. After I graduate, I will set my sights on playing Division 1 soccer at Yale University. I am excited to begin the next chapter of my life at such a great school and cannot wait to play in my first college soccer game. As I said previously, my overall goal is to go pro in soccer, but by going to Yale, the opportunities I will get are endless and could take me down a different path.

I spend most of my time training on the turf or in the gym, but beyond that, I enjoy sitting with my friends when we have some downtime, watching anime, playing FIFA, and starting my journey in the entrepreneur world. When I return home, I enjoy going out to eat with my friends, spending my days at the beach, and spending time with my family. I also enjoy DJ-ing; I picked it up last year and have fallen in love with it. I have even DJ-ed a couple of school events.

My favorite thing about Northwood is the diversity and how it has given me the platform to meet people from all over the world. I think Northwood is a great place to set a kid up for their future, and it has certainly done that for me. My two years here have been nothing short of incredible, and I hope to come back and visit soon.

As told to Aly El Mofty ’23. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Humans of Northwood: Jeremy Lok To Tsang ‘23

I am a third-year student here at Northwood School, and I am from Hong Kong. I came to Northwood as a 10th grader to pursue my dream of playing college soccer. I had heard about Northwood from a few friends who had already joined from Hong Kong. After hearing about Northwood, I started researching more about the school, and my interest grew. The Northwood partnership with Black Rock was a big attraction for me when I considered coming to Northwood. Year-round soccer was something I was looking for, and Northwood could offer that, along with a very high level of academics. It was an easy choice to attend Northwood, and I could not be happier that I ended up here.

In the future, I would like to play professional soccer. After I graduate, I will attend the University of Vermont to play Division 1 soccer and study. I am very excited to join such a great program that has only improved yearly. It is an excellent school in a great state, which I know I will enjoy. I aim to become a professional soccer player, and I hope that playing at the University of Vermont can help me achieve that goal.

I spend a lot of my time training on the turf or in the gym, but I do a lot more than just that. I enjoy going to town and spending time with my friends; I also enjoy going to church and watching the Sidemen on YouTube. When I am back home, I enjoy spending time with my family, training with my old club, and seeing all my friends from back home.

My favorite thing about being at Northwood is the opportunity it has given me to live in a different country. I always wanted to know how attending school in the United States felt, and Northwood has shown me what that is like. I also love that being here allows me to travel to many different states and see the other areas around the United States. I am so thankful that I could spend the last three years of my life here, and I could not be happier with the outcome.

As told to Aly El Mosfty ’23. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Students Observe Ramadan

Illustration: thequint.com

Every year, Muslims around the world come together to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. It is estimated that up to 1.9 billion people celebrate Ramadan yearly, and 2.2 million people celebrate it in the United States yearly. The holy month of Ramadan changes every year because it is in accordance with the Islamic calendar, which follows the lunar phases of the moon. This year Ramadan was from March 22 to April 20.

Ramadan consists of a period of fasting from sunrise to sunset every day for 30 days. There are a number of reasons why Muslims fast. First, it is believed that this is the month that God revealed the first verse of the Quran to the prophet Mohamed (peace be upon him). Second, fasting is to show appreciation and gratitude for what one has in his life; fasting is a reminder of all the things one usually has. It is also a time when Muslims have the opportunity to become closer to God and more devoted to their religion. Third, and beyond religious reasons, Ramadan also teaches life lessons, such as self-control, and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging actions of generosity and compulsory charity.

This year, Northwood had three students who celebrated Ramadan, Aly El Mofty ‘23, Ahmed El Ganainy ‘23, and Mariama Thioubou ‘23. “It has been difficult fasting due to having to train and do school,” El Gainainy said. “It is our (Ahmed and Aly’s) very first time ever fasting outside of our home country, so it is a very new experience for us,” he added.

We wish Aly, Ahmed, and Mariama a Ramadan Kareem!

Good Results at Titus for Freestyle Skiers

Freestyle skiers Clay and Kenny at a competition. (Photo: Northwood/NYSEF)

Two of the Northwood skiers participated in a freestyle ski competition some time ago. The race was a Rail Jam at Titus Mountain. This event is not the typical race event in which Northwood skiers participate. A freestyle competition displays the tricks one can do and how well one can be while skiing or snowboarding on a variety of features spread around the slope.

The two competitors were Clayton Fuller ’25 and Kenny Guchinskiy ’26. Clay finished second overall in the 15-20 year age group, and Kenny finished first overall in the 11-14 year age group. We are incredibly proud of these freestyle ski races for going out and performing against such tough competition.

“It was a stiff field, and there were a lot of great skiers there,” Ful;ler said, “but I was happy to secure a second-place finish and enjoyed every minute of the event.”

The Titus Mountain terrain is challenging to ski on, and for the boys to do as well as they did is an outstanding achievement.

After a successful event at Titus Mountain, Clayton looks to continue competing. He is setting his sights on the Slopestyle Jail Jam event at Gore Mountain, which is the deciding factor in his making nationals. He will compete at Copper Mountain in Colorado over spring break if he makes nationals. He will compete in three events: the rail jam, the half-pipe, and slopestyle.

We hope to see Clatyon at Nationals soon!

Soccer Team Has Impressive List of Commits

Northwood’s elite soccer team has had another successful round of college placements. Here’s a look at a few success stories.

Photo: Mr. MIchael Aldridge.

Noah Ledell is a senior from Hong Kong. He has been at Northwood for two years. In that time, he’s played for the U19s for two years and the Black Rock USL team in the summer. Before coming to Northwood, Noah played for the Hong Kong Football Club for a few years before deciding to go to America and pursue his goal of playing college soccer. Noah is a center-back and has been an integral part of Coach Moody’s team for the last two years, starting almost every game during the previous two seasons. A couple of schools recruited Noah since the start of the year, but he finally set his sights on Yale. When talking to Noah about committing to Yale. Yale secured a mid-table finish last year in the Ivy League, but after a very successful 2023 recruiting class, they look to secure a higher finish next season.

Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Jeremey Tsang is a senior from Hong Kong who has been a Northwood and Black Rock family member for three years. Jeremy has played two seasons for the U17s and one season for the U19s. Before coming to Northwood, Jeremey played for Hong Kong Football Club and the U21 Hong Kong National Team. He played in Hong Kong FC for a few years before deciding to come to America and pursue his goal of playing college soccer. He is a left-back and left wing-back with an explosive pace down the line. Jeremy has been crucial to the U19s this year as he has also played as a center-back due to our low supply of center-backs. Jeremy committed his next four years to the University of Vermont, ranked in the top five men’s Division I soccer schools. UVM is looking to have another meaningful run in the college cup for next season. Jeremy has stated that he feels at home at UVM, and the players have already made him feel welcome. He also said he has never seen facilities that good, and he cannot wait to be on campus with the team. We hope to see Jeremy in a Catamount uniform soon!

Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Ean Malay is a senior from New Hampshire. He is in his first year at Northwood and Black Rock. Ean played for Seacoasts U19 in the MLS Next Program before coming to Northwood. Ean is a left-back and left wing-back for the U19s and has been the glue for the team this year. His continued positivity and communication have been an enormous help to the team this year. Ean committed to Division 3 powerhouse Gettysburg very early in the year, as he knew immediately that that was where he wanted to spend the next four years. Ean said he committed to Gettysburg because “it is the perfect balance between a good education and soccer level.” He is very excited to start working at Gettysburg in pursuit of his goal of achieving a national championship. We cannot wait to see Ean’s passion for the game translate to the college level.

Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Rafael Borlido is a senior from Brazil. He has been a Northwood and Black Rock family member for two years. Before coming to Northwood, Rafael played for Seven Academy in Belo Horizonte for a few years before deciding to go to America and pursue his goal of playing college soccer. Rafael is a center midfielder and a left-back with an excellent left foot. Rafa has been crucial for the 19s this year, as he has been playing multiple positions for the team’s benefit. Rafael committed his next four years to Clemson University, which recently won the NCAA Championship and has not slowed down. With an excellent 2023 recruiting class, they are looking to push for their second national title in three years. Rafael has stated that he is so happy to have committed to Clemson, and a lot of stress has been lifted since he committed. He also stated that he is so thankful for this opportunity, and he will not put it to waste. We hope to see Rafael lift the college cup in the next four years.

Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Mathis Nolet Gagne, 23’ is a senior from Quebec City, Canada. He has been a Northwood and Black Rock family member for three years. He has played under Coach Martinez with the U17s and Coach Moodey with the U19s. Before coming to Northwood, Mathis played for AS Charlesbourg in Québec for a few years before deciding to go to America and pursue his goal of playing college soccer. Mathis is a defensive midfielder and center-back and has been an essential part of the program all year. Late in the first semester, Mathis committed to Division 3 powerhouse Alleghany College in Pennsylvania. After visiting the campus with his mother and meeting the team, Mathis felt a sort of comfort at Allegheny, which factored into his decision to call it his new home.

Valentine’s Dance at Hub a Hit

Northwood School had a packed and unique Valentine’s Day this year. The evening began with a traditional formal dinner, but with a twist: the teachers served as waiters! The students enjoyed several different entrees the talented kitchen staff prepared and finished the dinner with French macarons for dessert.

After dinner, the students gathered around the living room, waiting for the buses to take them to the Hub for a Valentine’s Day dance. It was the first such event at the Hub since it opened in February 2020. Senior party planner Junior Happi organized the Valentine’s Day dance. His goal was to “improve the social dynamic of Northwood School.” Noah Leddel, another senior, was also a huge contributor to the Valentine’s Day dance as the DJ, and he kept the party bouncing.

The ground floor of the Hub was used as the dance floor, and the upper floor was used for a movie night. The dance gave students an opportunity to have a normal high school experience by going to a dance party. It was also an excellent way to introduce these sorts of parties to international students and give them a taste of what the United States has to offer.

Overall, the Valentine’s Day dance party was a success; it included the usual party anthems, some old classics, and most importantly, some slow dancing that mostly all the students took part in.

Thebe Mosehathebe ’23 described the night as one of his most enjoyable nights in the four years that he’s been at Northwood. He feels that all the sports teams are starting to mix a lot more with these social events being thrown.

“I hope these parties keep getting thrown as it is gives me something to look forward to and enjoy beyond school and soccer,” Mitchell Baker ’25 said.

Junior Happi looks to keep his title as the school’s designated party planner, promising to continue to plan enjoyable events for all students of the school. This mini-party was also a little taste of what’s to come later in the year when Northwood prom arrives: it’s safe to say the students will be more than excited for that.

U19 Soccer Team Repeats at Far Post Showcase

The U17 and U19 Boys soccer team recently made their way across Lake Champlain to Burlington, Vermont for the Far Post Showcase. Coming off a great start to the season in Puerto Rico, the boys were excited for their first showcase back. The Northwood Soccer team split into three teams for this 8-per-side showcase, 2 x U17 teams and one U19 team.  

On Day 1 of the showcase, the U17-1s were set to face High Mowing U17 and Far Post U17, the U17-2s were set to face Far Post U17 and High Mowing U17, and the 19s were set to face High Mowing U19 and Far Post FC U19. The 17-1s went 2-0 to start the showcase. They beat High Mowing U17 5-0 with an energetic performance and did not slow down as they beat Far Post FC U17 6-1. The U17-2s also beat High Mowing U17 with a final score of 5-2 and drew 2-2 to Far Post U17 in a tight game. The U19s went 2-0 with a very tough 4-3 win over High Mowing U19 and cruised to a 3-0 win against Far Post FC U19 in a very comfortable win.  

After a successful first day of the showcase, all three teams were pumped and excited for Day 2. The teams had their last group stage matches before seeing who would advance to the final game of the showcase. The U17-1 squad had a much-anticipated game against the U17-2 team to see who will top the table and advance to the final game. The U17-2 team came out strong and energetic with a 2-0 lead, wanting to prove themselves against their older teammates. The U17-1 team was putting relentless pressure on the U17-2s, looking for any angle to shoot from, but the U17-2 team held off and maintained their excellent organization and defensive grit for most of the game. As the end of the game approached, the U17-2 team finally broke the barrier with a second goal following soon after.  

Coach Moodey referred to the U17-2 team as “Hungry and willing to do a lot to prove everyone wrong and beat the U17-1s”. Coach Martinez also commented on the game: “It was good to see both teams competing with each other and showing fight.” After the well-fought battle came to an end, the U17-1 team was named winners of their group as they only needed a draw to maintain that top position. The U19s suited up against Sea Coast U19 and needed a win to top their group, as they were down by a goal difference. After a very tight first 25 minutes of constant defending from Sea Coast, the U19s finally broke the deadlock, slotting one past Sea Coast. Following their first goal, the U19s went on to put 4 more past the Sea Coast defense.  

As both the U17-1 team and the U19s topped their groups, they would go on to meet in the final game to decide the winner of the Far Post Showcase. The U17-1s vs. the U19s was a much-anticipated game; it was present vs future, and the U19s felt they needed to put their younger teammates in their place. The U19s did just that, with the final score being 5-0. The U19s ended the showcase with Andres Viteri ’23 being the top scorer with 5 goals, Junior Happi ‘23 in second with 4 goals, and Ean Malay ‘23 with 2. Given the U17-1 team had to play the final straight after the tough match against their U17-2 teammates, it was clear there was fatigue in the younger group.    

The U19s were crowned champions of the Far Post Showcase, making the Northwood- Black Rock U19s three-time champions. Both U17s teams played great and had a successful weekend but ultimately fell short. Coach Moodey was happy with the weekend’s performances and how the team kept momentum from Puerto Rico. For the teams, the focus now shifts to next weekend. 

“Good Vibes” and Wins for Soccer in Puerto Rico

Over the break, the Northwood Soccer team had the pleasure of staying in Puerto Rico from the 23rd to the 29th of January for its spring semester preseason. The boys were involved in intense training sessions and several games and also participated in multiple activities, eating traditional Puerto Rican food and bonding with teammates.

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The trip began in the 8th largest city in Puerto Rico, Mayaguez. On day one of the trip, the boys had the opportunity to practice at the University of Puerto Rico. The soccer team enjoyed the training session under the scorching sun before heading to Rincon Beach after breakfast at the University of Puerto Rico. During their tanning sessions, the boys enjoyed the cool water, fresh coconuts, and warm sun.

Liam Burk ’24, the U19 goalkeeper, described the coconut milk as “the best thing I’ve ever tried” and even took a couple of coconuts with him back to the hotel. The boys then enjoyed a short walk into the city of Mayaguez and selected several local places to eat dinner. They enjoyed burgers, poke bowls, and some traditional spicy rice and chicken. They also walked around a local market, where many purchased handmade bracelets.

On day two, the preseason campaign began with the U19 and U17s playing the Edu Soccer Academy of Mayaguez. The U19s secured a 3-0 victory, while the U17s dominated and secured a 6-1 win. After a successful preseason start and a long practice under the sun, they headed to the beach at Playa Buyé. Many boys played beach soccer, explored the coast, paddle-boarded, and once again collected coconuts and enjoyed the natural sweetness. Cedric Lemaire ’24, a defender for the U19s, explored the coastline and even got close up to a bull! A couple of the boys enjoyed the waves and surfed for a few hours. The boys then walked into town for a traditional Puerto Rican dinner consisting of beans, rice, chicken, and plantain. Traditional Puerto Rican food was a success with the soccer boys, to say the least: they requested that meal many times after that night.

The soccer team then made their way up to the capital of Puerto Rico, San Juan, for the third day of the trip. After the two-hour drive, the team made its way to “Coto Beach,” which used to be under Spanish rule. The beach had a lot of old structures from the American/Spanish war and had beautiful views. After exploring the beach and climbing rocks, the boys looked at the items the locals were selling. Many bought custom Puerto Rican bracelets, hats, and coconuts. After a long morning, they headed to the hotel and rested for a bit before heading to dinner. Later in the evening, the team split up into groups, went around the local mall for dinner, and explored the stores and surrounding areas.

The soccer team then had to work on their presentations about each chapter of Atomic Habits book by James Clear. The U17 and U19s were split into groups of 8, and each group was assigned a chapter and given two days to present the main concepts of their chapter.

On day four, the team headed to the San Juan National Historic Site near “Old San Juan.” The group explored the 16th-century historical site for about an hour, learning about why the Del Morro Citadel was important and what was significant about all the old structures built by Spanish power. Later that day, the lads went for lunch in preparation for their game against Bayamon FC. They enjoyed some healthy chicken, pork, beans, and rice. After the boys rested at the hotel for a while, they made their way over to the Bayamon facilities for their games. The U17s played the Bayamon U17s and ended up with a 1-1 draw after a hard-fought match. The U19s dominated their game against the Bayamon U20s with a final score of 2-0. Goals coming from Leo Doyle ’25 (17s), Junior Happi ’23 (19s), and Noah Leddel ’23 (19s).

On day five, the boys spent their morning with some recovery work consisting of ice baths, pool time, and some much-needed napping before the U19s game vs. Quintana later in the day. Before the game, the boys ate authentic Puerto Rican food, followed by game-day snacks. The boys suited up against the Quintana pro team, one of the most challenging opponents they have faced this season. The U19s had one of their best performances against Quintana and ended the game with a 2-0 victory. Goals were from Sachiel Ming ’24 and Junior Happi ’23. The level of physicality and mature play was hard to play against at first, but the boys adapted well and played their style of football which were too much for Quintana. Coach John Moodey claimed, “this was the best game I’ve seen you lads play so far this year, and it is a sign of good things to come!” The victory was a clear step in the right direction for the U19s, preparing them for the tough season.

After an excellent recovery session under the sun, the lads headed to a local Puerto Rican golf course on the sixth day. They enjoyed beef ribs, fried chicken, pork, beans, and rice. Later that day, they were given some time to explore the hotel’s surrounding areas and rest up before heading out to dinner at one of the highest-rated authentic restaurants in San Juan. The soccer team enjoyed breaded beef, grilled chicken, plantain burgers, and rice mixed with vegetables.

On the seventh day, the boys presented their Atomic Habits questions in their respective groups. Each group had to act out a skit explaining the themes of their chapter. Each person followed this from the group focusing on a specific element of the chapter and how it relates to daily habits and self-betterment. Six groups presented in total, making sure all areas of the book were covered. Group discussions and questions from the audience followed the presentation. After completing their presentations, the boys headed to Martins BBQ, a Puerto Rican barbeque spot near the hotel. This was their pre-game meal ahead of day 1 of the Combine Sports College Showcase. The U17s kicked off the showcase against Surf Club, dominating possession for most of the game and had many chances on goal but were very unlucky, and the game finished 1-1, with the goal from Mitchell Baker ’25. The U19s kicked off their showcase vs. Ivy League FC. Ivy was organized in their defensive structure, which was a challenge for the U19s. Still, they ultimately broke the deadlock and achieved a 3-0 victory with goals from Jordan Shullenberger ’23, Andreas Viterri ’24, and Ming ’24.

Ahead of their evening games on day 8, the boys enjoyed a morning at Cangrejo Arriba beach, where many tanned, body surfed, played beach soccer, and even had a sandcastle-building competition. The crowned winners of the 2023 Puerto Rico sandcastle competition were Nate Wright ’25, Hamish Riddell ’26, and Trey Frantz ’25, with an impressive life-size sand sculpture of a sea turtle. The previous day, Martin’s BBQ was a hit, so the boys made their way there again and had a nice lunch. The U17s faced the hosts Combine Sports U17 in a much-anticipated game. The match began slowly, but as time went on, the intensity picked up. After a great battle, the U17s prevailed with a 3-2 victory over Combine Sports, with goals coming from Baker ’25 (2), and AJ Etumnu ’25.

Coach Martinez of the U17s described captain Mitchell Baker as “the most consistent player and leader for the U17s all season, and he has not slowed down in his goalscoring.” He also described Leo Doyle as “one of our most consistent players this year, who hasn’t stopped raising his level since the start of the year.”

The U19s also faced Combine Sports U19s in an intense matchup. The Combine U19s were energetic and hungry for the win over Northwood School/Black Rock FC, but the U19s kept their composure and played their style of soccer, which ultimately saw them prevail with the final score of 2-0. Goals came from Ming and Happi. Coach Moodey described the game as “physical and messy, but I am happy that we ground out the result.”

As the trip ended, the boys had breakfast at the hotel for one final time and some downtime before going out for lunch. The boys headed to Borrillos Bayamon, a burrito and quesadilla near the hotel. After a nice, enjoyable Mexican food meal, the boys returned to the hotel to rest up before the final game of their preseason. The U17s faced off against the Bayamon 17s for their final game, looking to get a win since the last encounter ended in a draw. As the game progressed, the Bayamon players continued to employ dirty tactics to throw off the Northwood U17s. The boys stayed disciplined and did not get involved. After a very hard-fought game, the U17s lost 1-3, with their lone goal coming from co-captain Baker. The U19s faced off against Bayamon’s U20 team in the last game of their preseason campaign, hoping to go undefeated by winning all six of their games. Tension was in the air after both teams watched the U17 team’s games, giving the game some meaning. The U19s moved the ball exceptionally well, dealt with opposition pressure as well as possible, and were clinical in front of goal, ultimately leading them to a 3-1 victory, making them showcase champions and undefeated for the Puerto Rico preseason campaign. Goals came from Ming, Sam Knauf ’24, and Leyson Mosquera Losada ’23. Following two hard-fought games, the boys earned a $25 budget for dinner in downtown San Juan near the old city. After a fantastic preseason, the soccer team enjoyed selecting their restaurants and had a great last night.

Coach Martinez praised the U17s team for staying disciplined, executing their play, playing football the right way, having a good response to adversity, going through major learning curves throughout each game, and matching physicality while playing their style of play. He praised co-captain Koah Paye ’24. “Koah had a successful preseason. He held down the defensive line and was rock solid at the back, even though he was playing out of position.” He also praised Diego Green ’25. “Green was the emerging player for the U17s this preseason. He started to play with more confidence, had more consistent games, and looked like he will contribute more in the second half of the season.”

On the U19s side, captain Thebe Mosehathebe ’23 praise the trip. “As a team, we grew in many ways. It was good to get some downtime together. We had good weather, played good soccer, and had good vibes in preparation for our difficult upcoming schedule.” Turner Jackson ’23 said, “what more could we ask for? We had good weather, all wins, good team morale, and we are stepping in the right direction.”

The Northwood Soccer team had a very successful preseason campaign in Puerto Rico and will look to keep that momentum going for the remainder of the year. This trip meant a lot to every one of the players as it was much more than just soccer. It allowed them to know one another better, create lifelong memories, and experience once-in-a-lifetime activities together. It was a great trip and a great way to start the new year.

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