IACS Athletics Newsletter
August 20th, 2019 - September 13th, 2019
MESSAGE FROM THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
We hope all of our athletic families are enjoying the fall sports season so far! We are always pleased with the talent and the dedication that IACS athletes bring every season and have had a great first few weeks. Please see below for the first round of updates on our fall teams.
The HS season is well underway. All competition schedules are posted on the main HS athletics webpage calendar. Please see individual team web pages for a full practice and game schedule for each team. As always, these schedules are subject to change, so please be sure to check the web pages frequently. For further information on how changes are communicated to families, see the cancellation policy in the 2019-2020 Athletic Department Handbook. MS competition seasons will be starting next week once schedules are released by the league. Same as for HS, all competition schedules will be posted on the main MS athletics webpage calendar, with full team schedules (practices and competitions) posted on each team's web page.
We recently created a Twitter account. Please give us a follow! @iacs_athletics
We would also like to take this time to introduce some new members of the coaching staff. We have welcomed the following new coaches:
Rex Parkins - HS JV volleyball, head coach
Marc Clayton - MS JV volleyball, head coach
Daniel Alfaro - MS boys soccer, assistant coach
Many have expressed concern about the spread of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) across the state. According to the MA Department of Public Health, Tyngsboro is still classified as a low-risk town. The risk map is updated daily, and we will continue to monitor our status. As of now, with a low-risk status, we are taking the following precautions: all outdoor practices are scheduled to end by 5:30 pm, middle school competitions should end no later than 5:30 pm, and high school competitions should end by 6:30 pm. We do have upcoming night soccer games and will make a decision about the time of these games in the coming days. To further reduce the risk of exposure to and bites from infected mosquitos, we recommend that athletes wear insect repellent and long clothing when possible. Further information about EEE from the Department of Public Health can be found here. It is important to remember that EEE is not a permanent threat, and that EEE risk will decrease precipitously when the first frosts begin killing off mosquito populations.
We will continue to see you on the field, court, and course and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns:
Athletic Department - iacsathletics@innovationcharter.org
Nolan McKinnon, Athletic Director - nmckinnon@innovationcharter.org
Grace Nealey, Assistant Athletic Director - gnealey@innovationcharter.org
Linda Budzynski, Athletic Trainer - lbudzynski@innovationcharter.org
IN THE NEWS
Girls and Boys High School Varsity Soccer
Boys & Girls Cross Country
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Girls Varsity Soccer
Record: 3-0
The IACS girls varsity soccer team started the season by taking their game on the road to Cambridge to face off against Matignon High School. This game is always an adventure since Matignon has a very small, patchy field and IACS teams are used to playing on our large, predictable field. Despite the conditions, IACS came out on top, with a 5-3 win. First half goals were scored by captain Isabela Schmalz (2) and freshman Delaney Scanlon (1) with assists from newcomer Emanuelly Ferreira (1), Isabela (1), and Rian Benoit (1). Matignon scored once in the first half to keep it close. The second half saw Emanuelly score two unassisted goals while Matignon scored twice. In the end, IACS prevailed with strong performances from captain Sarah Milne, Alexis Vitorino, and Taylor Scanlon.
The girls then faced off against our rivals across the river, Greater Lowell Technical High School. Although these games are usually tightly contested, this one was not very close. IACS scored seven first half goals to Greater Lowell Tech's one. The onslaught of the first half was led by Isabela Schmalz, with three goals and an assist, while Delaney Scanlon and Nicolle Trujillo each scored twice. Alexis Vitorino (2), Sarah Milne (1), and Emanuelly Ferreira (1) chipped in with assists. Emanuelly and Rian Benoit each scored once in the second half, with Nicolle assisting on Rian's goal. Emanuelly was a dominating presence in midfield at the start of the game and later at defense.
The evolving pattern so far is that the girls score early and often as the offense is working well together. The young defense is coming into its own as well and the team should soon be putting together complete performances on both ends of the field.
Boys Varsity Soccer
The HS boys varsity soccer team is looking forward to an exciting upcoming season. The team starts the season off with eight new starters. The team is young, with only three seniors. Seniors include co-captains Thomas Malen and Yaw Obeng, in addition to Jaden Ndouop, a formidable attacker whom we’re looking to for many goals.
The team has started off the season with a loss to Mystic Valley, but bounced back with a strong win against Trivium.
The coaching staff is looking forward to a great season. In addition to the 18 games, the team will attend the New England Revolution game with the girls soccer team on September 21st. Additionally, we are working on planning team bonding events and a volunteer day to give back to the community!
Girls Junior Varsity Soccer
Record: 1-1
The team suffered their first loss of the season to Excel Academy, 5-1. After a deluge of goals in the first half, the Hawks played a very competitive second half, led by strong midfield play by Elea Zegdoun (10th grade) and Mackenzie Beaulieu (8th grade). Keira Frazer netted the lone IACS goal after a great cross by Sam Mugford.
Boys Junior Varsity Soccer
Record: 1-1
The JV boys had a great first game to kick off the season. They beat Parker Charter 6-2. Khang Bui (7th grade) led the way, scoring 2 goals in his first game for JV. Strong performances by Nam Bui (11th grade), Chris Freire (11th grade), Tim Panilaitis (9th grade) and Yaw Osei-Bonsi (10th grade) helped pave the path for a big win to start off the season.
The team's next home game is on Wednesday 9/18 vs. Lowell Catholic. They'd love your support!
Boys Cross Country
Record: 3-0
The boys are off to a strong start this season. The team has grown its numbers from 4 last year to 16 this year, giving us talent and solid depth. Newcomers have stepped up to fill the front spots while the team's top runner was nursing an injury and could not race.
Tom Bojsen placed first in the first meet coming back from a 2-year hiatus, followed closely Andrew Crockett (9th grade) in second place. Filling out the scorers for the first meet against Salem Academy were Derik Linton (12th grade), Pierre Lessard (11th grade), and Riley Lennon (12th grade). The team took 7 of the top 10 places in the meet, showing strength in the team's talent.
The second meet saw the return of top runner Jack Benoit (11th grade). Although still not 100%, he took the win with a time of 18:47 and felt strong leading the rest of the field by 3 minutes. The boys took 8 of the top 10 places between 3 teams, blitzing the competition in a landslide victory. Tom Bojsen (11th grade) took second overall and Andrew Crockett took fourth overall and third for the team. The boys will be racing at the Bob McDougall 3k Invitational this Saturday in Tewksbury.
Girls Cross Country
The girls cross country season has started off with some injuries on a small team, not allowing 5 finishers to score a meet. However, in the first few meets, the girls captured 3 of the top 5 spots, demonstrating that the team is strong, and once healed up, will be a competitive force. In both of the first meets, Annalyse Talbot (11th grade) won, with Adeline Ansah (11th grade) capturing second place.
Varsity Volleyball
Record: 1-2
In the first two matches of the season the varsity volleyball team battled hard and were able to take one set from each team, but unfortunately did not come away victorious. The team has been working really well together, and are ready to work hard in the gym so that they can keep improving.
In the first home game against South Lancaster, the Hawks won 3-1. Outside hitters Daniella Chavez (11th grade), Miah Poth (10th grade), and Hailey Lima (10th grade) stepped up and hit well! Yuliana Lugo (10th grade) came in when she was needed most and racked up many assists. Amanda Gately (10th grade) served the other team off of the court. Soli Vo (11th grade) did a great job leading her team as the libero. Teshi Waruingi (12th grade) provided the hitters with some great sets. Overall, a great home opener!
Junior Varsity Volleyball
The JV volleyball team started off strong with 2 wins! The team bested NDA Tyngsboro and PMA Methuen, but fell to Ayer Shirley. The players are working hard everyday to improve upon their skills. Joyce Nabagereka (10th grade) has proved to be a standout newcomer. Ashley Fahey (9th grade) and Anagha Babu (10th grade) have been working very hard and were able to get some time on the varsity court this week.
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS
Girls Soccer
Boys Soccer
The season is going well for boys soccer so far, they are looking forward to another successful competition season. The team welcomes 10 returners from last season. With the large number of players, the program will split into two teams. However, both teams will practice at the same time and be coached by the same coaches. Practices are running smoothly, even with 40 athletes. With dedication and work ethic, the team is expecting a great season.