Jace Donawa

STEM Research Project Studies Athlete Recovery

February 4, 2025 by Jace Donawa

Lokoah Paye ’25 (left) and Leo Doyle ’25. Photo Provided.

Stem projects offer students the opportunity to create and manage something that interests them in the field of research. Since the project is year-long, the students must stay proactive and ensure they keep on track with their research in whatever form they choose to do it in.

Lohkoah Paye ’25 and Leo Doyle ’25 are working together on their project, testing the different recovery methods provided here at Northwood. As most students are athletes, they feel that it is important for peers to understand how the recovery equipment can impact their recovery speed.

“We have 3 recovery methods: Normatec, foam rolling, and massage gunning,” said Doyle. “Our goal is to test them all and compare to see their impact on the recovery and flexibility of the quadriceps,” he added. Though there are many different recovery methods, these three are perceived to be most used by the community in the gym and the athletic trainer room.

“We are testing four of the sports groups here, which are boys’ soccer, girls’ skiing, girls’ hockey, and boys’ hockey,” said Paye. “We feel that it is important to test different sports because they have different and similar demands on the body, and with those differences and similarities, the results will be more interesting when comparing,” he added.

As the results start to be analyzed, it will be interesting to see how the quadricep reacts differently for each athlete. “I was a part of the experiment, and it was helpful for me,” said Noah Moodey ’26. “I was able to recognize what is best for my recovery and leg mobility when I get really sore,” he added.

An interesting part of the project is that it’s informing not just the students running it but the athletes being tested because they will get to know their bodies better. This project should have a good impact on the community as everyone who plays a part will have their benefit.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People, Top Story

College Football Playoffs Provides Peak Entertainment

February 3, 2025 by Jace Donawa

As it is the end of January, this means that the College Football season has just come to a close. In the past, as the season ended, only four teams made the cut to the playoffs. This year, there were 12 teams in the playoffs for the first time, and Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 to win the championship. The Buckeyes claimed their ninth national title in the program’s history, earning them fourth in all-time NCAA-recognized titles.

Photo: Maurice Clarett (Twitter/X)

Even while in Costa Rica, the players on the soccer team were big fans and made sure to watch the National Championship in the airport. “At first, I was disappointed that we were at the airport so early before the flight, but then I realized that I could watch the Championship game and it made the time pass by much quicker,” said Lohkoah Paye ’25.

The game itself had some of the best players in the country on display, which gained viewership. “My favorite part about the game was being able to watch [Ohio State wide receiver] Jeremiah Smith because he is one of my favorite players,” added Ryan Farr ’25. Even though most soccer players have never played American football in their lives, they enjoy being fans of the game.

Even being an American-dominant sport, college football dramatically impacts the community by allowing people who aren’t American to learn the game and become fans. “I don’t remember ever seeing a game on TV before I came to America. I used to find the sport boring, but my interest has grown significantly,” said Machai Davis ’25. Since the college football year is over, so many look forward to next year when they can watch these teams go head-to-head again, hoping it will bring similar entertainment as this year did.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World, Sports

Humans of Northwood: Diego Green ‘25

January 14, 2025 by Jace Donawa

“My favorite part about Northwood is the Soccer team and being around the Soccer guys because it feels like family. The soccer team travels all around the country to play in Numerous showcases and events but never goes out of the country. Going on that trip two years ago was something that every player enjoyed, and I look forward to doing the same in Costa Rica. Northwood has prepared me for college by living in a dorm room environment with people from all over the world.” In college, there are always people from all over the world who suddenly become everyday faces because of their living circumstances.

“My last shoutout has to go to Coach Moodey because he helped me a lot by showing me what the college game requires to succeed.”

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Peak Pathway Builds Social Media Skills

November 12, 2024 by Jace Donawa

A recent example of a post from the Northwood Soccer Instagram account.

As it is now in November, Peak Pathway project ideas are starting to ramp up and be narrowed down for all students in the course. The projects cover many different topics and are for the most part very different from traditional classes. Students are allowed to be very creative when choosing what they want to do. Like Diogo Charraz ’25, some students choose to carry on from projects of past students in the course. This allows the student to have something to build on to try and take it to the next level.

Diogo chose to take over the Northwood Soccer Instagram to try and provide an upgrade for the media production. “I think we’ve made a great progress, and we are heading the right way to have the best and most interactive year of the soccer Instagram. It has been challenging to find the right layouts and design that everyone in the team likes and also deciding what we should and shouldn’t post, but it’s a process that we enjoy,” said Diogo. Now is the time when people will start to see some of the content that Diogo and others are producing on the platform.

As the project lasts the full year, there is a lot of room for excitement, anticipation, and eagerness. “We are most looking forward to seeing how the Instagram can impact recruiting future students and helping our current students get recruited and giving them more exposure,” Diogo added. In these days, using a media platform can be important in terms of recruitment which is why most teams have the m. As most people have Instagram, it is a perfect platform to promote teams, players, etc. It is exciting to see Diogo taking over the account and we look forward to seeing some of his production over the year.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Soccer Teams Prepare for Can-Am Super Cup

November 5, 2024 by Jace Donawa

The soccer teams will compete in the second annual Can-Am Cup on November 9-10. Organized by U19 head coach Jon Moodey, the tournament/showcase gives players and teams from both America and Canada the opportunity to compete for a trophy whilst being watched by numerous college coaches from around the country. As this is the second year since the tournament’s creation, there will be more curiosity from colleges to come and watch a lot of talent on display, creating more opportunities to be seen and recruited.

The teams competing in this year’s event include Sigma FC, St. Andrew’s College, RMPUS, Vaughan SC, Woodbridge SC, NY Hota Bavarian SC, New York Elite Alleycats, North York Academy, and Black Rock FC/ Northwood. Last year, the tournament happened over a 3-week series where each team played each other before the playoffs. This year, it will be a one-weekend tournament with a round-robin, and teams’ positioning in the table will determine who they play in the first knockout game if they qualify. This makes for a highly competitive weekend of soccer.

Last year, the U17s were able to win their whole age bracket and bring the trophy home while the U19s came up just short. The U17s will be hoping to defend their title which will be tough, as others will be looking for vengeance from last year. The U19s hope to bring the cup back after coming up short last year. As the tournament is being held in Connecticut this year, both teams will be hoping to bring back their first silverware of the season afterward.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Soccer’s Rivalry with Woodstock Academy

November 5, 2024 by Jace Donawa

The U19 team in action against Woodstock in October 2024. Photo provided.

Over the last two seasons since the Prep Premier League was created, the soccer teams have developed a fierce rivalry with Woodstock Academy. Despite being a new rivalry, the games always seem to have the feeling of war where no team will give in easily. Both programs are very competitive and, in some ways, are used to having the upper hand in most games they play. Because of this, the games are defined by the thread of a needle, as the margin for error is very slim, with high-quality players on each team.

One of the main reasons for this rivalry is the competitive tension between the two Head Coaches. Coach Jon Moodey (Northwood) and Coach Owen Finberg (Woodstock) have had a rivalry for quite some time. In 2007, Jon Moodey was the head coach at Berkshire School, and Owen Finberg was the head coach at South Kent. Ever since then, whenever the two clash, the games have always been intense and considered big games. They are both seen as some of the best coaches in boys’ prep soccer history, especially in New England, because of their domination in class A and B Soccer.

Unfortunately, the balance of the results for Northwood against Woodstock leans in favor of Woodstock, with the record being 0-2-1. The Huskies have yet to come on top. One of the two losses was last year in the Prep Premier League playoff finals, which Northwood hopes to get their vengeance on this year. The two teams met a few weeks ago during Northwood family weekend, where a highly entertaining and contested game ended in a 2-2 draw. LohKoah Paye ’25 said, “Every time we play them, it’s a great game to be a part of because the level is so high. As a team, we feel good about our chances of winning the trophy again this year and look forward to a potential rematch in the playoffs against them.”

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Humans of Northwood: Machai Davis ‘25

October 22, 2024 by Jace Donawa

“I am a 3-year senior hailing from Bermuda. I am a part of the U-19 boys soccer team and hope to attend college through soccer recruitment. I am enjoying my time at Northwood and would not change it for the world. I will remember it for the rest of my life. There have been many difficulties, but the community has always been there for me.

“I came to Northwood because the head coach of the soccer team, Jon Moodey, recruited me. I met Coach Moodey when I was around 13 years old when he came to my club in Bermuda. I visited numerous schools in Connecticut, but COVID slowed the process. Years later, I got the opportunity to come to Northwood, and it was something I could not turn down.

“My favorite part of Northwood is Winter Carnival without a doubt. This is the time of the year when the school spirit is highest, and everyone comes together.

“My goals for the year are to be consistent both academically and athletically, which, after my previous two years, I feel that I have down to a T. My biggest motivation for achieving these goals is setting a good example for my younger brother [Kimani Davis, 26’], who also attends Northwood.”

As told to Jace Donawa ’25. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Catching up with Mitch Baker ‘24

October 22, 2024 by Jace Donawa

Mitchell Baker ’24. Photo: Georgetown Athletics.

Northwood Alumni Mitch Baker 24’ was a 3-years soccer player who came to Northwood from Australia. After a successful Northwood career, Baker landed at one of the best universities in the country, Georgetown University. Despite only having spent a few months there so far, Mitch has many reflections to make on his time since graduation last May.

“So far, college has been fun,” Baker said. I have had the opportunity to meet new people from all over America and other countries with different backgrounds. It is very different in comparison to Northwood because I’m in the city now, where everything seems more accessible, and the level is a lot higher in terms of quality and demand when it comes to the classroom and playing soccer. It feels as though it is at the next level which can be difficult, but so far, I am definitely enjoying my time,” Baker added.

Balance, Northwood’s theme for the 2024-25 school year, is also a theme of Baker’s time at Georgetown. “Being able to balance school and Soccer is pretty difficult. I think it is somewhat harder than Northwood, but I think Northwood prepared me well for this type of situation because of the amount of traveling with the soccer team. With that being said, the classes are a lot harder, so the work is more difficult, but having to do work on the road over the last few years really helped me mentally prepare for this situation,” Baker said.

Baker is off to a strong start in soccer. “In terms of Soccer, I’m very happy with the season so far, but there’s obviously room for improvement. I tend to set the bar really high for myself, so it’s rare that I’m satisfied, but I feel as though I started the season off well in terms of goal-scoring. Recently, I haven’t been scoring quite as much, but my game has really developed in terms of the technical side and the little details. I know that in due time, the goals will come and that I just have to keep working hard and focus on the smaller things that contribute a lot to the team,” Baker said.

There are things he misses about Northwood. “The part I miss most about Northwood is definitely the people. Being there for 3 years, I saw the same people every day for three years of my life, which allowed me to build many close connections and friendships. Going from seeing these people every day to not seeing them at all is strange. Northwood had a very family-oriented vibe, making it a lot easier for me personally. I like to challenge myself, so I don’t necessarily miss the easy lifestyle, but with it being easier, it was a lot more fun.”

Baker has some advice for seniors who aspire to play sports in college. “I think student-athletes should have big summers coming into college, I think senior year in high school and the summer before college should be a grinding period. It’s important because you don’t want to come to college and start slow as everything is a lot harder. You have to be fit for your sport because you don’t want to spend half of the season trying to get fit because the season is only so long. At Northwood, with the school being so small, you’re only competing with very few people, so I’d say don’t get complacent, as Northwood is a small pond compared to college. You have to be disciplined, but at the same time, they say college is supposed to be the best four years of your life, so make the most of it and relish your time,” Baker added.

Filed Under: People, Sports

Soccer Teams Undefeated in First Home Games

October 11, 2024 by Jace Donawa

The U19 Soccer Team at a recent home match. Photo provided.

The soccer teams had their first home games in late September. In addition to being the first home matches, it was also the first league match for the U19 side. The U19s won their first Prep Premier League game 3-1 against Hoosac School. The team won with goals scored by Said El Eyssami ‘26, Jace Donawa ‘25, and Leo Doyle ‘25. The U17 squad also played a good game but unfortunately came up short with a 2-2 draw against Hoosac School’s other team. Both goals were scored by Hamish Riddell ‘26.

There was a good crowd at the games, made up of faculty and the student body, who showed great support in both matches. “It was great to play in front of the school and show them what we’ve got as a team,” Riddell said. “Being down 2-0 in the game, the crowd felt like a 12^th man, which really helped us to pull back to 2-2 after being down,” he added. Riddell was awarded Man of the Match as he was the center of what turned out to be a great second-half performance.

The U19s had a very well-rounded performance, and everyone on the team played a key role in it. They were able to dominate from the start, taking a 2-0 lead in the first half and then scoring a third, sealing the game after conceding one midway through the second half.

“Seeing the crowd fill with excitement after each goal and good action we made really fired us up and gave us the momentum we needed to keep pushing,” Noah Moodey ’26 said.

The whole soccer program looks forward to seeing everyone come out again for Pink the Pitch this family weekend. The team is going into some of its toughest games of the season.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Pink the Rink/Pitch Raises Awareness, Money

October 4, 2024 by Jace Donawa

Nico Malouin ’25 in his pink Northwood vs. Cancer shirt. Photo by Jace Donawa ’25.

October is here, meaning it is time for Northwood’s annual Pink the Rink. Normally Northwood students will wear pink and go out to support the Hockey team at the rink in their pink attire. This year will unite the school even more as students will Pink the Pitch pink to support the Soccer teams in some of their toughest games of the season. Pink is chosen to represent the bigger cause, which is breast cancer month, in which pink is the collective symbol of hope and awareness.

In addition to the good cause, proceeds will be donated to a breast cancer charity in Plattsburgh as each pink shirt that is sold is charged a small fee and there will be a concession stand at all the games for students for refreshments. One of the most impressive things about this event is that it is student-led, encouraging other students to get involved. Lohkoah Paye ’25 is one of the organizers. “Being able to help my school raise money for a good cause is a great feeling,” Paye said. “Also, since this is the first year where pink will be represented at the soccer games, I look forward to seeing my peers flooding the stands in pink,” he added.

This event has been happening for several years and it allows students to come together as one and create a good culture that carries through the rest of the year. “Last year, it was inspiring how the student body was able to come together and support each other,” Leo Doyle ’25 said. “I think that this year will be even better with some of the new activities involved on the weekend,” Doyle added.

Each year the event gets better as the entire school is motivated by the previous year to raise more awareness and money for the cause. This year’s event will take place from October 5-6 during a family weekend, where every team plays home games, and families come into town to support their students.