Spartans News

From Montreal, Quebec, Keshia Zonnon helped propel the prep girls hockey team to a three-win weekend with her contributions in all areas of the ice. She showed a tremendous amount of poise, slowing down and speeding up the game whenever needed. A second-year Grade 10 student, Keshia was a dominating force both defensively and offensively, as well as winning nearly every face-off she took. Her ability to control the puck and keep it away from defenders was on full display in each game. Although she is never shy to shoot, she is always looking to find open teammates and supports her linemates in all three zones. With four multi-point games, including an 11-point weekend, congratulations, Keisha.

This student-athlete from Fukoka, Japan had quite the game this past weekend at the Pat Burns Arena. In the Spartans' first league game of the season, the U15 hockey player scored a goal and played a great two-way game in leading the team to a 5-2 win over Lester B. Pearson. Sena plays the game the right way and leaves it all on the ice. He may be small in stature but he is big in might! Congratulations, Sena Shirakabe.

The varsity boys captain had a massive month in October, as he and his linemates, Ryan Dwyer and September Offensive Player of the Month Kamyl Chemrouk, continued to put the puck in the net. At the October CPSHA weekend hosted by the Rothesay Netherwood School, Zackarie had 6 points in 4 games, highlighted by a hat trick in a 5-2 win over the Ridley College Tigers. The second-year Spartan looks to continue his torrid start to his senior season as the Spartans look ahead to a busy month of November that features the TCF Bank International Invitational tournament in Minnesota and the Stanstead Showcase.

These two cross-country runners constantly put in the work, always pushed each other, led by example and encouraged their teammates all season long. Liam placed 1st in two of the four races this season, as well as a 3rd. Walker solidified 2nd place in three of the four ETIAC races. They both would have likely finished the regular season with additional accolades but took a wrong turn with partner in crime Elijah on the Galt course, resulting in all three being disqualified. During the Thanksgiving break, Liam and Walker competed in the RSEQ regionals in Victoriaville. Liam finishing 4th in Cadet, Walker 6th in Juvenile and qualified for the RSEQ Provincial Championships in Saint Lazare. The Saint Lazare course had steep inclines, wooded trails and areas of thick sand, making it a challenge for all racers. Liam finished 34th out of 94 in the 4km Cadet division. Walker also finished 34th out of 82 in the 5km Juvenile division. For their strong finishes locally and for their solid results in Estrie and Quebec, your Athletes of the Week, from cross-country running, Liam Sumun and Walker Smits.

The stage was set…the reigning ETIAC champion Richmond Knights versus the 2023 runner-up Stanstead College Spartans in the 2024 ETIAC semi-final played at Stanstead College on Tuesday, October 23 at 4:00pm. This match would be the third and final one of the season, and despite having won the previous two league encounters by an aggregate 11-3 margin, the Spartans would not take the Knights for granted. Potentially slipping up the Spartans on this day – and if there was ever a banana skin in the works – was exhaustion resulting from six games in three days at the CAIS tournament in Aurora, Ontario, just the previous weekend.

This Grade 10 student-athlete from Ottawa, Ontario was a warrior throughout last week’s CAIS Senior Girls Soccer Tournament and Monday's ETIAC semifinal vs Alexander Galt. She played 6 games in 5 days and never came off the field, never took a play off and never, ever stopped attacking! She always put the logo on the front of her jersey before anything else. Never more so than after one of her goals, when she went to her team and flashed the school crest. Congratulations, Isabelle Smyth.

The Stanstead College Senior Boys Soccer Spartans attended the annual CAIS tournament held on the campus of St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, Ontario, October 17-19, and finished in 6^th place in the silver division. CAIS organized a new format for 2024, which was aimed at having divisions of like with like talent. There are large and small CAIS schools, some with very strong and some with less experienced quality teams, so this new format provided all schools with the opportunity of playing against teams of similar caliber. For Stanstead College, this format worked perfectly, as games against Trinity College School, Ridley College and Country Day School were all excellent matchups.

 

I love how CAIS 2024 started – 7:45 am Thursday morning, freezing cold, -1^o C, field a slick, white carpet of frost, and your Spartans are the first team out there warming up, the whole campus to ourselves. A neat boarding school scene I won’t soon forget.

Massey-Vanier is tough. Big and strong and skilled at every position, with some speed thrown in there as well. No weak spots, no letup, just a well-coached group of intelligent athletes pressuring you wherever you turn. No wonder they’re heavy favourites to win the 2024 ETIAC league banner.

The Spartans opened the ETIAC season by travelling west to Cowansville and the home of the Massey-Vanier Vikings. Always a difficult team to play, the Vikings are a tough opponent and hard to beat at home. From the opening kick-off the Spartans displayed their trademark style of play, keeping the ball by passing and moving it quickly on the ground, beginning offensive attacks by playing the ball from the defenders through the midfield to the forwards and breaking opponents down with aggressive pressure.

Maxim has picked up right where she let off last season to lead a deep Spartan offensive attack, scoring 7 goals and 10 assists in 10 games. Primarily playing on a line with Rosalie Tremblay and Isabelle Michaud, the trio has been able to dominate the offensive zone through high-level skill and creativity and strong team system play to create high-quality scoring chances and score timely goals. Individually, Maxim has found offensive success across even strength, power play and penalty kill by creating space with her size and beating goalies with her powerful shot.  

This Grade 10 student-athlete from Lorraine, Quebec has demonstrated outstanding leadership, skill and sportsmanship on the field this season. As team captain of the junior boys soccer team, Charles has been a true leader on and off the field. His determined midfield play and willingness to involve his teammates, along with his coachability, have made him a lynch pin on the team this season. Charles is heavily relied upon, rarely leaving the pitch and always gives maximum effort. Congratulations, Charles.

Soccer can be the most frustrating sport on the planet. You can do everything right, make all the right passes, all the right plays, but still not score. Finishing is hard, kids. That’s why Messi makes a trillion dollars a year. Because finishing… is… hard.

From Guanajuato, Mexico, Renato had a spectacular debut to his Stanstead soccer career. In the bantam boys soccer season opener at Massey-Vanier, Renato demonstrated exceptional skill and determination. With a powerful display of precision and strength, his effort all game was impressive, helping the team secure an 11-7 win with his six goals and two assists. He is now known as the Ronaldo amongst his peers on the team. Congratulations, Renato.

Stanstead started the game on the front foot and took the lead in the 5^th minute when left-winger Jeremiah  finished from inside the 6-yard box following a great pass from Jordan. The Spartans doubled the lead in the 12^th minute when Gabriel won a 50/50 contested ball, made a quick move and fired a rocket into the back of the CDL goal. Spartan goalkeeper, Emanuel, faced and denied the four shots directed his way and earned the shutout.

After a full week of tryouts and practices and figuring out positions and getting to know each other, your Senior Girls Soccer Spartans faced real competition for the first time with the 2024 edition of the Stanstead Invitational Tournament (aka the Dyke ‘N’ Friends) this past Saturday.

Following a difficult start to the season, this golfer from Ayer’s Cliff, Quebec had one of his best rounds ever on Sunday. William’s first tournament victory as a Spartan came in dramatic fashion. Two Stanstead golfers were tied with low score following the tournament, so in order to determine the low gross, they went to extra holes. This means that they walked back and played the 18th hole again. Still tied, they played the 10th hole and still tied, off to the 17th hole they went! When it looked like they were headed to a 4th playoff hole, William pulled up his socks and made a fabulous 12-foot putt to take the victory over his teammate, Jack Carter. For his overall progress this year and his performance on Sunday, your Athlete of the Week, from the golf team, William Towner.

Who knew that these student-athletes hailing from Singapore and Saitama, Japan would become a match made in tennis heaven. From the beginning of the season, their coaches could tell that they would become a force to be reckoned with. Cruising by their opponents at almost every opportunity, they have impressed players on the other side of the net and earned the respect of their peers. Always looking to improve, they have also used their time to help their teammates get better. Their coaches would even argue that nobody is more dedicated to their craft than these two. For their incredible and consistent play in the last three meets with BCS, Athletes of the Week, from tennis, Seia Oikawa and Louis Sullivan.

A standout second-year junior rugby player, Julia Lee is fierce on the pitch! She is an offensive force and relentless on defence. Her strong and technically sound tackles had fans gasping in awe at yesterday’s ETIAC games as she helped her team solidify wins against both Galt and BCS. Julia is wracking up points on the scoreboard and back to finish what she started last season. A quiet leader with tremendous skill and determination, congratulations Athlete of the Week, from junior girls rugby, Julia Lee.

Malcolm Nicholson, Grade 11, from Darien, Connecticut, had an epic performance in the boys lacrosse team’s first game in the United States this year. He finished with three goals and played with toughness and selflessness. Malcolm is relentless with the ball in his stick and also when trying to get it back. The attackmen duo with Jaxon Pierce is a threat to score anytime they touch the ball. Malcolm’s follow-up game vs BCS did not disappoint. He led the team with another three-goal performance for an 11-5 win. For his elite scoring touch and overall selfless play, congratulations Athlete of the Week Malcolm Nicholson.

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Last week's Co-Athletes of the Week were goalie Louis Sullivan and team captain Charles Généreux from U15 hockey who led the team to win the RSEQ Metro Division semi-final at home, including the game-winner by Charles in overtime. 

A Grade 11 student from Sherbrooke, Quebec, Noémie Cloutier was the heart, soul and rock of the prep girls hockey team all through last weekend's JWHL playoffs. With the team down two defenders all weekend due to injuries, the team’s captain played every second shift on defence. Not only did she perform her regular duties of shutting down the opposition’s offensive threats, but she also contributed offensively by scoring her first goal of the season in the opening game. She played through the pain of badly bruised ribs and never complained about it. Wanting a championship so badly, she showed up three hours early at 6:00 am to prepare for the big game. The girls could not have pulled it off this weekend without her leadership and unconditional dedication to a team-first attitude. Congratulations, Athlete of the week Noémie Cloutier.

Words are hard to find right now. It is hard to try to write something as if it is in the past, when I want to keep this amazing feeling present, I want to stay in this moment. My sense of joy for our boys, pride for our program and school and personal relief for feeling that our job was done well are all working together to make waking up the last couple days to be extra special.

This Grade 11 student-athlete from South Korea has been in the curling program for two years. Over time, she has emerged as quite the player. Kayla was a dominant force in the team’s game against Richmond this past week. Coach Planetta describes Kayla as a “smiling assassin” -- taking out opposition stones with a devilish grin on her face. Kayla looks to lead her team as they play for the ETIAC championship tomorrow in North Hatley. For her overall progress and amazing performance this past week, congratulations to Athlete of the Week Kayla Lee.

“That was the best team basketball I’ve ever seen you guys play.” – Mr. Andrew Blair, head minor official, giving his thoughts to me after the game.

 

And he was not wrong. Because not only were we going up against a fast, well-coached Triolet team hellbent on revenge (we’d beaten them 10 days earlier), but Trio full-court presses every second of every game, and we were going to be without our point guard (as Melissa was out with a concussion). Nothing is harder in girls’ basketball than bringing up the ball vs pressure without a true dribbler. Not only is it difficult, it can be demoralizing. I’m not gonna lie, I was concerned coming into this game.

Friday, 12:00 noon, first game of the BCS Invitational Tournament vs The Study. Opening jump ball, the ref lobs it up, and we’re under way.

Saturday, 4:00 pm, the very next day, the final horn blows, signaling the end of our last game, and the end of the tournament.

This Grade 12 student-athlete from Ayer's Cliff, Quebec earned 3 points in two games against a tough Le Boisé opponent on Saturday. The U18 hockey captain followed up these performances by helping lead his team to a 7-3 victory over Frontalière on Monday by scoring 4 goals and adding 3 assists. William always plays the game the right way, is a natural leader on and off the ice and is a pleasure to coach. Congratulations, William Towner!

Twelve days ago, in our first game back from the Christmas break, we travelled all the way to Victoriaville to play our worst game of the year versus Le Boise, a listless 33-24 loss. This past Tuesday was our chance at redemption. At home this time.

This past weekend, varsity boys hockey won both of their games, the first against the #3-ranked Kimball Union Academy and the second against New Hampton School. Leading the offensive charge in both games was team captain Jaxon Pierce (Grade 12, Fredericton, NB). Jaxon scored on the first shift of the game against Kimball Union and scored both the first and second goals against New Hampton school on Sunday. Besides finding himself on the scoresheet for 3 goals in 2 games, Jaxon’s work ethic was on full display all weekend. Congratulations, Jaxon! 

This past weekend your Spartans travelled to the big city for the annual Montreal Independent Schools Tournament, always a highlight of the year. We were hoping to build upon the progress we made in our last league game vs Salesien, and build we did. We haven’t quite returned to our best form of the season (which was at CAIS last November), but we made real strides.

 

Well, that was better. Much better. Starting right away with the warmup, we looked faster. More athletic. Ready to go. Passes were crisp, hands were sure and cuts were sharp, the kind where you hear the sneakers squeak on the floor. All of which carried over to the first quarter, and honestly, to the whole game. Last Thursday, we looked like we were moving in quicksand, but this past Tuesday vs Le Salesien we were purposeful for the full 32 minutes.

Charles Genereux of U15 hockey had a tremendous day this past Wednesday at Cardigan Mountain School in New Hampshire. A Grade 9 student from Lorraine, Quebec, Charles scored the tying goal in the last three minutes of play in the third period, and then, with 54 seconds remaining in the game, he scored the game winner on an outstanding end-to-end rush. The Spartans staged the late-game comeback against a big, strong and fast Cardigan Mountain team to pull off the 3-2 victory. For putting the team on his back, your athlete of the week is the U15 hockey team captain, Charles Généreux.