Week of 9/23: Fall Sports Season Gets Underway

Coming off two straight NEPSAC bowl victories, varsity football opened its season with a lot of new faces on the field, braving the elements last Saturday on the road at Nobles. While the weather and field conditions limited the offensive output on both sides, Carl Monks ’26 was able to connect with Robby Fiore ’25 on the game’s lone touchdown. Jalen Morris ’27, who last year earned All-ISL and All-NEPSAC honorable mentions, did it all in the 6-0 victory for the Red Wings, rushing for over 100 yards to go along with his strong play at safety and returning kicks on special teams.

Varsity field hockey is off to a strong start, improving to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the ISL with a tight 2-1 win over St. Paul’s on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Sophia Capodilupo ’27 and Brooke Bartlett ’27. Led by captains Lindsay Morin ’25 (Georgetown commit), Libby Bowers ’25 (Washington & Lee), and Morgan Boyce ’25, the team is looking to return to the playoffs for the second straight year and make a run at the ISL title under coach Meg Shea-Poli.

After graduating seven seniors last year, including five college commits, boys’ varsity soccer is still adjusting to some new roles this season. The team has tied both its ISL games, against Tabor (3-3) and St. Sebastian’s (1-1), thanks to a hat trick from captain Ewen Robertson ’25 (Colorado College) and a goal from captain Gavin Hill ’25. With their Friday Night Lights game this Friday, September 27, the team is looking to pick up its first win of the season as it battles Governor’s Academy.

In girls’ soccer, captains Abby Lorion ’25 (Holy Cross), Lauren Simon ’25 (Washington University in St. Louis), and Ali Shure (Trinity) have anchored the strong 3-2 start for the Red Wings, highlighted by big wins to open the season over perennial Class A contender Andover and defending Class B champs Pingree. While the team suffered a tough 2-1 home loss under the lights last Friday against Tabor, the Red Wings were able to bounce back Wednesday against Winsor, thanks to the first career goal from Maggie Heckscher ’26.

Varsity volleyball returns five members from last season’s team, which made program history by advancing to its first-ever NEPSAC championship game. The team is off to a strong start this season, sitting at 2-0 with wins over Worcester and Tabor. Captains Madison Ngai ’25 and Layla Lindsey ’26 have helped lead the young group of Red Wings, with strong contributions from newcomers Giani Boerner ’27 and Jenna Adams ’28.

Coming off a third-place finish at the DIII New England championships last fall, boys cross country returns all three of its All-NEPSAC performers in captains Jason Minicozzi ’26, Justin Jang ’25, and Alex Young ’25, to go along with a new group of five freshman who are hoping to make an impact. The boys defeated St. Sebastian’s and Austin Prep in their opening meet, and are back in action on Friday as they travel to St. Sebastian’s.

With a lot of new faces, girls’ cross country is looking to continue its steady improvement in Coach Jeff Nisbet’s fourth year at the helm. Newcomer Kendra Snell ’28 has been the star of the early season for the Red Wings, placing second and fourth in the two meets so far, and has formed half of a strong duo at the top with returning All-NEPSAC performer Emme Salyer ’27. Captains Reagan Whitaker ’25, Elizabeth Lapides ’25, and Anya Carroll ’26 help provide leadership and focus to an exciting young core, who head to Milton on October 5 for another ISL race.