Noah Moodey

Humans of Northwood: Vittorio “Tori” Renda ‘25

May 9, 2025 by Noah Moodey

“One rule I live by is that everything you do, make sure you give 100% into it, no matter what it is you’re doing, whether you are enjoying it or not, always give everything you’ve got, otherwise it would just be a disservice to yourself.

“Something I’m thankful for that Northwood has given me is the friendships I’ve made in my three years here. I’ve made friends from every corner of the world during my time here, and those relationships are going to be there for my whole life now. That’s an opportunity I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else, so I thank Northwood for that.

“In ten years, I of course hope to be a professional soccer player, but if that doesn’t work out, I would like to be a sports analyst for ESPN. I love all sports right now, so being an Analyst for ESPN would be a dream come true. In terms of family, I’ll hopefully be married with many kids, and be living a rich, successful, and happy life.

“If there were a song to be the soundtrack to my life, it would probably be ‘Start from the Bottom Now We’re Here’ by Drake. I’m kidding, I’m kidding. On a real note, it is ‘Get Ready’ by Rod Wave featuring Kodak Black. To me, that song reinforces that sometimes you have to go through hardships and face obstacles in order to come out the other side a better person.

Lastly, my favorite place on campus is not a specific physical place but anywhere with my friends. Anywhere where I can laugh, converse, and have a good time with my friends is an amazing place for me. The place where this happens the most is, for sure, the dining hall, everyone is there regardless of their cohort or schedule, and it’s an awesome place for conversation.”

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Adventure in Red Rocks: A Soccer Tradition

May 9, 2025 by Noah Moodey

Left to right: Hamish Riddel ’26, Trey Frantz ’25, and Nate Wright ’25 in a cave they discovered on a hike.

Although Las Vegas is known for flashing lights, towering casinos, and sprawling resorts, Northwood’s Soccer team prefers somewhere a bit serene for the beginning of their trip. The tradition of hiking through the Red Rocks National Conservation Area began years ago when the program’s staff decided to do something out of the ordinary in hopes of building the team’s culture. “I think that after a long day of travel and sitting on flights and in vans, it’s important to reconnect with nature and get the blood flowing,” said Coach Moodey. At first, the trip was met with some disappointment from the players. It was hard to get everyone motivated to get in the vans again for a task that seemed so tiring and futile, but once everyone was there, it was an instant hit. Some players chose to bask in the Vitamin D of the sun, whereas others climbed rock outcroppings hundreds of feet in the air. Whichever option players chose, it left them feeling relaxed and took the stress of the travel day off their shoulders, thus leading to a tradition being born.

The Journey begins in the concrete Jungle that’s downtown Las Vegas and ends in the barren desert, with towering skyscrapers making way for gorgeous mountains. Every year, one group rushes ahead to climb the stacks of boulders which are coloreds varying from a pale orange to dark maroon, while the others remain behind and chat leisurely while walking the trail. “It’s honestly one of the highlights of the trip. Last year, some friends and I climbed until we found an amazing cave to relax in,” said Hamish Riddel ’26. The coaches also enjoy the hike for their reasons; it allows them to relax after a tense day of travel, as it’s no easy feat keeping 48 teenagers together in the crowded airport. In total, the trip lasts about an hour or two before the team relents to the shade of their vans and cools off with the much-needed air conditioning.

Overall, the trip sets the Las Vegas trip off to a great start every year, providing excitement and stimulation for the players while the coaches get a breath of fresh air after an intense day of travel. The outing consistently puts the team in the right state of mind to perform, and the results from prior years speak for themselves. Since the tradition began, the Northwood programs have won The Players Showcase a total of four times in the last seven years. This day of adventure in the sun has become both a staff and player favorite and will surely remain in the itinerary for years to come.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Sports

Champions at Last: Liverpool tastes Victory Again

May 7, 2025 by Noah Moodey

Photo: Getty Images.

This past Sunday, a new yet familiar champion of the English Premier League (England’s Top Division of Soccer) was crowned. The Reds of Liverpool FC claimed their record 20^th title emphatically with a 5-1 victory at home versus Tottenham Hotspur FC. With a twelve-point gap between Liverpool and second-place Arsenal, the Reds fans sat on the edge of their seats awaiting Sunday’s arrival.

When the final matchday arrived, the tension in Merseyside (the region of England where Liverpool is located) was palpable. Citizens of the city lined the streets with red flares going off in every direction as they prepared, hopefully, for a day of celebration. However, when the match kicked off, Tottenham immediately soured the Reds’ special day as a goal from Dominic Solanke put Liverpool’s opponents up one just 12 minutes in. That being said, it didn’t take long for a response. Over the next 30 minutes, the team roared back with a trio of goals from Luis Diaz, Alexis McAllister, and Cody Gakpo, leading the Reds into halftime with momentum in their favor. After the break, Liverpool came out with the same fire as the title was now within grasping distance. Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold finished the job with two more clinical finishes, effectively burying Tottenham and claiming the title. The final whistle soon blew, and the Merseyside erupted. Throngs of people rushed both the field and the streets in celebration, and across the scouse countryside, a massive wave of relief swept.

Coming into this season, Liverpool fans were distraught. Despite the team’s strong 3^rd place finish in last year’s Premier League, morale coming into the season was at an all-time low. The club was parting ways with its world-famous coach, Jurgen Klopp. Klopp had brought Liverpool back to its glory days during his ten-year tenure as head coach; he had brought the city heroes, trophies, and most importantly of all, something to get behind, and with his loss, the city was unsure how it would ever recover. Enter Arne Slot, the Dutch Manager who joined Liverpool without a hitch and immediately became a fan favorite. Despite a lot of pressure due to everything riding on the season, Slot remained calm and composed and led Liverpool to their most significant margin of victory in the Premier League in decades. The relief felt through Merseyside was immense; all year, the citizens had been wondering if they could trust Slot to get the job done as Klopp had so many times, and with the final whistle versus Tottenham, it felt as though all those worries went out the window. The Liverpudlians almost took a step back as they added Slot to the ranks of Coaches whom they adored. With that title, Liverpool draws level with rivals Manchester United with a record-breaking 20 English first division titles.

Despite all the pressure they faced and with a new manager at the helm, Liverpool were able to shock the world and bring pride to the city of Liverpool once again, solidifying themselves as one of the best teams in history in the process.

Filed Under: Sports

Defeat in Richmond: Jefferson Cup Recap

April 11, 2025 by Noah Moodey

Two weeks after their success in the Players Showcase in Las Vegas, it was time for the Northwood soccer program to hit the road again. With two weeks of well-earned rest under their belts and their energy tanks refueled, the soccer team set out for Richmond, Virginia, to compete in the Jefferson Cup. The Jefferson Cup, or Jeff Cup for short, is one of the biggest tournaments in the United States, second only to The Dallas Cup in Texas. With April break looming and the prospect of Jeff Cup glory on their minds, the teams took on the 13-hour bus ride with heads held high.

The U19s team started their matches with a bang, laying down a statement win on Arlington SC with a score of 1-0. Although the scoreline doesn’t seem emphatic, the match was one of complete domination, the Huskies played the ball around the opposition as if they were no more than training cones. However, due to a remarkable goalkeeping performance from the Arlington goalkeeper, the match resulted only in a one-goal margin of victory, which came from a Ryan Farr ’25 winner in the 60^th minute. Next, the U19s came up against the hosts of the tournament and the number 1-ranked team in the state, Richmond United. The game was back and forth throughout, with Northwood taking the lead twice on goals from Ryan Farr ’25 and Said El Eyssami ’26. Unfortunately, Richmond was quick to equalize on both occasions. The game’s deciding moment, however, was not until the very end when a Richmond player found himself on a breakaway to goal and slotted home the winning goal on the last play of the match. The ref blew the final whistle, and that was it. A heartbreaking loss sent the Huskies’ title hopes crashing out of the tournament. “Of course, it’s not how I wanted my last Jefferson Cup to go here at Northwood, but I couldn’t have asked for more from this team, they gave everything they had for all 80 minutes, and in the end that’s all we can ask for,” said winger, Jace Donawa ’25 during a reflection on the match. In the final match of their tournament, a consolation match of sorts, the Huskies fell 3-2 to the eventual group winners, SYC Football Club, from Springfield, Illinois. Although the record wasn’t as pretty as the program would have liked this group of players represents much more than that and fought valiantly until the final whistle blew.

The West Creek Field Complex, upon which 4 of the 6 total matches took place.

The U17s also had a rough go of things in their Jefferson Cup, falling 2-1 in their first match in controversial fashion, as a member of the team was handed a red card, eventually leading to a come-from-behind victory for their opponents, SUSA FC. The next match did not go much better, with injuries plaguing their ranks, the Huskies fell 7-0 to eventual tournament winners STA MSC. However, it wasn’t all bad, in their final match, the U17s turned things around and managed a strong performance, leading to a 1-1 draw. “The tournament wasn’t ideal, but I’m proud of how the boys banded together for this last match and we left for April break on a bang for sure,” said Captain Hamish Riddel ’26.

The defeat in the Jefferson Cup was not enough to keep the Huskies’ spirits down, as with a break on the horizon, they headed home with heads held high. Although the high hopes held by the program upon entering the tournament were not met, the players put on an effort that everyone could be proud of, and have vowed to return with vengeance to Jefferson Cup 2026.

Filed Under: Sports

Winter Carnival a Day of Fun and Competition

March 12, 2025 by Noah Moodey

For decades, Winter Carnival has been a staple favorite in the lives of Northwood students, and it is still as this year. March arrived, and with it came the festivities. With the draft completed and the events chosen, the various peaks were geared up for a day of action-packed excitement. Competitions included challenges of the arts, sports, and the mind. The balanced format allows all students to have a successful time in events suited to them, which sums up the culture of Northwood pretty well, making it a place for everyone to succeed.

Students pull a student in a plastic sled in the annual sled race. Photo provided.

The morning started off with the Dodgeball and Tug of War competitions, which were a huge success. The whole school population gathered in the indoor turf and gym to both compete and cheer. A gallon of face paint and a few sore shoulders later, the matches concluded, and each team captured a victory or two. The next events were those of Broomball and Curling, taking place in the USA and 1980 rinks. The teams were bussed to the arena and the clashes began. Although some teams certainly did better than others, everybody had a great time. The event was a community favorite as it gave students from other programs a view into the hockey program; the soccer players especially enjoyed it despite their abysmal performance. “It was a big switch up from the soccer pitch, but it was still a total blast. Sure, we may not have scored a goal, and we may have kicked the ball more than hit it, but it was great and I’m glad I got to try it out before I graduated,” said Nate Wright ‘25. The day’s events continued with dramatic performances in the talent show, art contests, and even a dog sled race until ending with the fan favorite obstacle course.

Although the games are fun, the meaning behind Winter Carnival is deeper than just fun and games. “The best part of winter carnival is that it really brings the community together, it allows people from different programs to see aspects of us normally only shown to our teammates,” said Trey Frantz ’25. Winter Carnival brings together students from different programs, forging unexpected friendships that might not have formed otherwise. The tradition is still sacred in Northwood culture because it ties the final knots in the bonds of the school before the end of the year.

Although the results have not yet been released, the final standings of winter carnival are sure to be divided by only a hair’s breadth and everyone will be on the edge of their seats for Monday’s school meeting.

At Monday’s school meeting, Ms. Riffle announced the winners of the 2025 Winter Carnival. Congratulations to this year’s champion, Gothics! Big Slide came in second and Wolfjaw followed in third. Skylight rounded out the field in fourth place.

Winter Carnival is and will remain to be the glue that holds Northwood together through the winters, and the events of this year only further reinforced that. The seniors will look back fondly upon their memories and the underclass students can only wait excitedly for next year’s carnival.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Top Story

Soccer Team Prepares for Las Vegas Trip

March 3, 2025 by Noah Moodey

After a successful weekend in Manhattan, the soccer program is setting its sights on the Players Showcase Cup in Las Vegas, Nevada. With the U19 team in top form after an emphatic win against South Kent in the Manhattan Kickoff Classic, they hope to repeat their success and top their group in Vegas. However, victory won’t be as easy this time, seeing as Las Vegas has three times the amount of teams in a regular tournament. The Huskies will have to win all four games to have even a chance of winning the tournament.

The Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex, home of the matches at the Players Showcase in Las Vegas. Photo: http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov.

In the past, Vegas has been deemed the ultimate proving ground for Northwoods’ soccer program. Last year, the U17s went undefeated yet finished second due to scoring fewer goals than the Minnesota Stars team. The U19s, on the other hand, were victorious in all four of their games, won the championship, and beat the number one team in the country, Crossfire FC, on the way.

“It’s a nice change of scenery, and the high competition level is always good,” said Leo Doyle ’25. Since the program’s beginning, the Huskies have brought home the trophy five times, and they are hoping two more trophies will come back with them this year.

Off the field, Vegas is a team favorite. The trip includes a hike through the Red Rocks National Park, downtown Vegas, and many more destinations. Vegas provides a much-needed late-winter escape from the snow for the team and makes it easier to get through the harsh Adirondack winter. On the last day of the trip, the boys get dropped off on the strip downtown, given a meal budget, and then sent on their way. There are street performances, crazy music, and every restaurant imaginable: the perfect way to end the trip.

This year, the competition will be fierce for both sides, but the U19s have an especially important match marked on their calendars. In their second match of the tournament, the U19s are matched up against IMG Academy from Florida. This team is infamous for producing top-level talent and having the best facilities in the country, so naturally, all eyes are on that match.

“When the schedule came out, everyone instantly zeroed in on that match; they are known around the world, so to take them down would just be the cherry on top of the victory in Vegas.”, said Lohkoah Paye ’25. With the year winding down, the program wants to bring in every trophy they can and, by doing so, become the first class in Northwood Soccer history to win both age groups in the Players Showcase.

The trip is sure to be filled with action, entertainment, and top-level clashes. With less than a week left to prepare, focus is at an all-time high, and all goals align to a unified one to conquer Las Vegas.

Filed Under: Sports

Humans of Northwood: Trey Frantz ‘25

March 3, 2025 by Noah Moodey

“I see myself as maybe an ocean shade of green because I feel like that resonates with the go-with-the-flow side of my personality. At the same time, the color displays the tone of a colder temperature and different sides of my personality. It’s also just a pretty cool color.

“Northwood, in all manners, has entirely morphed me as a person. I think the soccer program is the most significant aspect of that. The cultural exposure combined with my general friend group has brought me to find more emotional maturity and figure out who I am in the process.

“A moment that changed my life, I think, was my decision to come to Northwood. The opportunity I was given at Northwood has helped shape me because these crucial years in my development have all been spent at Northwood. So, I feel like that decision is the root of everything.

“In ten years, I hopefully will have graduated from a good college and have had a promising soccer career at said school. I’ll either be traveling the world or have already traveled because this is my dream in life. On top of that, I’ll be much wiser, much taller, more handsome, and stronger. I’ll probably be equally as calm and humble as my current self. Regarding family, I’ll have a charming wife and maybe a kid on the way, too, hopefully a boy. Also, I’ll be working a stable, steady, good job that will give me a lot of money.

“What I’ll remember the most from Northwood is the people, all the moments that I shared with them, and all the different personalities that I got to know really made it special to me and it’s something that I’m going to hold on to for the rest of my life and I hope my friendships will stay. Everyone I’ve been with here, from Nate and Noah, my two childhood best friends, to people from across the world like Leo, Hamish, Jace, Machai, and Greeny. You know, just the general soccer team as a whole. Except for Koah. Not him. Just kidding, just kidding.

“I’ll never forget the experiences and relationships that Northwood has brought me, and I will be forever thankful.

As told to Noah Moodey ’26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Humans of Northwood: Jace Donawa ‘25

March 1, 2025 by Noah Moodey

“I think coming to Northwood was one of the best decisions I made. It changed the way I see the world and myself a lot.

“Growing up in Bermuda affected how I perceive the whole culture here at Northwood. The cultural difference between Bermuda and Northwood was huge. So, when I first got here, it took me some time to get used to everything and adapt to this new norm and reality. My childhood in Bermuda allowed me to see life differently and embrace other cultures.

“If I could tell my younger self something when I first arrived at Northwood, it would be to embrace the whole experience and to use all the resources given to me. I feel like when I first came, I took advantage of the soccer opportunities but didn’t utilize the academic and community opportunities I was given. So, while I wasn’t behind because of this, I could’ve been at a much better place had I utilized those opportunities earlier.

“After Northwood, I plan to attend college and set myself up for the next step towards my goal. As of now, I’m committed to playing for the soccer program at UNC Chapel Hill. From there, the next step is to get drafted and get a professional contract, and if that doesn’t work, I’m still trying to figure out what I would want to do, but maybe something still in the sports industry or of that nature.

“I truly am very thankful for all that Northwood has given me, the growth I’ve gone through since my arrival, and the bonds I’ve made since my arrival. As sad as I’ll be to depart at the end of the year, I feel I’m prepared and ready to take on the next steps on the path to my goal.”

As told to Noah Moodey ‘26. Photo by Mr. Michael Aldridge.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, People

Injuries In Athletes: The Mental Battle

February 24, 2025 by Noah Moodey

Brazil’s forward Neymar is carried on a stretcher after being injured during the quarter-final football match between Brazil and Colombia (Getty Images)

It’s no secret that injuries are common in athletics. That said, not all injuries are the same. Each requires its own amount of recovery time, physical therapy, and caution regarding activity. Athletes are the most prone to injuries as they are always exerting their bodies in various ways to the maximum for their sports; thus, they deal with injuries much more than non-athletes. However, the point of this article isn’t to give facts about injuries or talk about the pain they cause. It is about something much more serious: mental health struggles during injuries are some of the hardest things that any athlete will face.

For most athletes, their sport is their passion, their life, and their goals. Their sport is where they meet their friends, it is what they do in their free time, and it’s been a pillar in their life since a very young age. To have that snatched away from them for varying lengths of time can be a significant hit to any athlete’s mental health. A member of the soccer program, Lohkoah Paye ’25, has been nursing a groin injury since November and just made his return to the field this past weekend. On the topic of injury, Paye said “Those injured months were some of the hardest I’ve been through. Soccer is my life and to lose that was really tough. I saw all my friends having fun on the field and I just had to sit by and watch.” I have also dealt with lengthy injuries in the past, so I knew how he was feeling, but I still couldn’t figure out the best way to deal with these struggles.

In order to figure out the best way to stay out of the depressive slump that follows injuries for athletes, I decided to speak to Northwood’s own psychologist, Mrs. Wright. We discussed how friends, passion for the sport, and routine all play a role in these feelings of sadness that come with these obstacles, and in the end, she was able to provide me with a list of strategies for athletes to help themselves during these trying times.

Notes on how physical injury affects the mental state:

After an athletic injury, mental recovery is something that is extremely important but often overlooked.
Even when fully cleared, athletes may be understandably focused on how the injury occurred, whether it could occur again, and subconsciously hesitant in their sport as a result. This can result in slower decision-making, momentarily freezing up when faced with a situation similar to the one in which they were injured, or even finding they are feeling less passionate about their sport overall. This can be particularly evident when an athlete experiences a significant injury for the first time. The feelings of being confident in their body and ability are challenged by the concept that injury can (and did) happen to them.
There is also a tremendous social aspect to physical athletic injury, during which an injured player may feel more isolated, left out, and disconnected from their teammates.

Tips on how to rehabilitate your mental state while rehabilitating physically:

Focus on your “self-talk” – those little doubts inside your head. Pay attention to these thoughts and how they may differ from your thoughts pre-injury. When those doubts pop up, counter them with facts. For example, if your self-talk keeps telling you, “I don’t want to get hurt again,” you can counter it with, “I’ve played hockey for 10 years and was injured once. Using that math, I got injured once in 3,650 days of playing. It is very unlikely an injury will occur again anytime soon.”
Talk with the adults in our community – your coaches, Nurses Marge, Donny, your advisor, and Mrs. Wright. These adults have lots of experience with their own injuries and with helping others. It is important to share how you’re feeling and not let your worries stay bottled up inside.
Create positive imagery – to reduce replaying the injury in your head, imagine past scenarios from your sport. Make a plan to replay these positive scenarios in your mind once per day. Imagine yourself in a positive athletic scenario in the future – stopping a goal, scoring or assisting a goal, pushing off a ski jump and landing smoothly, achieving a smooth figure skating landing, hitting every ski gate, landing a perfect 360 off a rail, or looking up at an ice climb you just completed. While you are working to build new experiences and memories of positive experiences post-injury, this “future imagery” can help to keep your focus on future achievements instead of the injury.

Injuries are one of the most common things in athletics, and unfortunately, there is no way to prevent them completely. However, when you are injured, there are ways you can ensure that your mental health is good and your recovery is quick. Injuries can be tough, especially in the minds of athletes, but by acknowledging these issues and doubts that come with the trouble, athletes can progress past the mental block. Injuries can take athletes out for very long periods, but with a good support system and positive techniques, athletes can get back to the field quicker, with a new strength to their life on and off the field.

Filed Under: Northwood Life, Real World, Sports

An Unconventional Win for Soccer U19s

February 4, 2025 by Noah Moodey

The soccer program recently traveled to Philadelphia to test their mettle against some of the top teams in the nation. The “Best of Cup” is a tournament of immense importance on the recruitment front of soccer, as it brings together some of the best teams on the East Coast for college coaches to scout. This year, the U19s made a statement with two stellar performances, topping their group and tying with professional academy Philadelphia Union for the most points in the whole tournament.

The U19 soccer side. Photo provided.

While these results from the U19s may seem like they had a cakewalk in the tournament, they were quite the opposite, especially the second of their two games. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the U19s arrived on the field for the 8 o’clock kickoff without a goalkeeper.

The issue was realized around 20 minutes before the game was scheduled to start when, after looking around for the goalkeeper to no avail, Leo Doyle 25’ dropped the bomb: “Guys, we left Edy at the hotel.” The team was initially in disbelief, which quickly turned to determination and acceptance of the situation as the coaches walked over for the pregame talk.

As the message was relayed to the coaches, they weren’t too pleased with the situation. Yet they calmed down and told the players there was nothing to be done. “You made your bed, and now you got to sleep in it, boys,” said Coach Jose Coss. The coaches told the players they had no choice: they could win the game or be in a boatload of trouble afterward. Safe to say, that was all the motivation the team needed; however, there was still one looming issue: there was nobody between the sticks. Enter—center-back Jackson Weyl ‘25, who volunteered to go in the net for the sake of the team.

“I played two years of goalie back in elementary school, but that’s not saying much,” Weyl remarked. The team was unsure of his prowess in the net, but what choice did they have? They accepted Jackson’s gracious sacrifice, and the match kicked off.

The U19s came out of the blocks hot, immediately putting their opponents, Lehigh Valley Rush FC, under immense pressure. The opponents were unable to even lay a foot on the ball as the ball movement of the U19s was too strong. It wasn’t long before Northwood broke the ice, striking early with a goal from Ryan Farr ‘25. Said El Eyssami ‘26 and Alex Darby ‘26 followed suit shortly after, with impressive goals of their own. The defense of the Huskies held up well, barring a few chances, which Jackson handled with the poise of a seasoned goalkeeper.

The second half was the same story, only with a different keeper. For the second half, 3^rd year senior Diego Green ’25 decided to relieve Jackson from his post. “There were lots of good schools at the match, and I felt that Jackson deserved the chance to impress them at his regular position,” said Green. With Diego in the net in winter gloves and a shirt reading “Jesus Saves”, the team went back into the game with just as much passion as before. Northwood continued the pressure on the opponents, missing narrowly many times. Back in goal, Diego made many saves of varying difficulty, even saving a point-blank shot from the opposition. Although the opponents broke through once, bringing the score line to a final of 3-1 in favor of the Huskies, it was a valiant performance all around.

With their mettle tested and proven, the U19s now look ahead to the Black Rock Winter Showcase in New Hampshire next weekend, this time with a goalkeeper firmly accounted for.