LSM Fall Sports Have High Expectations

LEWIS S. MILLS HIGH SCHOOL ―  The bar is high for Fall sports programs at Berkshire League powerhouse Lewis Mills. In recent years, the school has dominated Northwest Connecticut and this year is no exception. Three teams are current defending champs, and the rest are looking to become top contenders in the league.

Field Hockey has arguably the greatest of expectations this season. Last year, the Lady Spartans took home the state championship after a 3-0 victory of Granby Memorial. However, repeating the feat seems like a tall task this year. “We lost five starters,” says senior captain Julia Arel, “We have lots of inexperienced players now”. Although repeating as champions may seem unlikely this year, the girls are ready to make another run. “We definitely have a shot at being one of the top teams in the league. It’s difficult to win two state championships in a row, but we are going to give it our all”, said Arel.

For four years now, Lewis Mills has run the table in the Berkshire League in both boys and girls soccer. This year will be no different. Both teams have won the Berkshire League Title every year since 2012, and both have made deep runs into the state tournament.

Boys soccer has lost a total of two games in league play since 2012, both of which occurred that very year. Mills has been the team to beat since then. They return with 14 seniors, 10 of which are starters. LSM is expected to be one of the top teams in the state again this year.

“Our expectations are high on and off the field,” says 1st Team All Berkshire League senior midfielder James Wilcox. “We have to get it done in the regular season and make a run in the post-season.”

Most of these boys have been playing together since the were toddlers and to them, it’s time to go out with a bang.

The girls soccer team also reigns supreme in the Berkshire League. Since 1987, the Lady Spartans took home the Berkshire League Title a total of 21 times. The girls look to make that total 22 by the end of the season, but face a tough threat in Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

In the bigger picture, the girls are once again gearing up for a run at the state title. “We have to learn from our mistakes from last year,” says senior captain and All-State midfielder, Madison Murdick. “We have almost all of our starting lineup back from last year; we are back and better than ever.” Both the boys and girls soccer programs should make some noise come tournament time in November.

Unlike the historically dominating soccer programs, LSM Football has been historically dominated. This year the team looks to break through to become a serious contender. The Spartans haven’t won more than two games in any season since the program was established in 2010. After a 2-9 record last year, the boys already have one victory just three games in.

“Expectations are high this year for LSM Football,” announces junior quarterback Trevor Baker. “This year we are playing on our home field for the first time, and we are playing in a more competitive league for our school.”

With the recent addition of a football field at Mills, the team is confident that this year will be promising. Mills will be no powerhouse this year, but the team is expected to improve.

Another team looking to improve from last year is Girls Volleyball. In 2013, the Lady Spartans finished with an outstanding record of 18-4-0, but had to rebuild in 2014 and finished the year with a 6-12-0 record. This year, the team looks to return to the top of the Berkshire League.

Senior libero Amanda Rousseau says “we expect to make it far or potentially to the top of the league. Northwestern and Nonnewaug can definitely give us a run for our money, but this is our year”. The girls are gearing up for a good season.

Crew also looks to build this year. The team is participating in three regattas this season and looks to “finish top half in these races” according to senior Parker Nye. “We are racing private schools which is always difficult, but we are getting better.” he says.

Finally, Lewis Mills cross country looks to have strong year. The boys, with senior Nathan Virovoy, junior Jack Keegan, and sophomore Chris Case, leading the charge look to be a top team in the Berkshire League. The girls look to have a good year as well. The Lady Spartans are led by senior Kaitlin Sulek and freshmen Elizabeth Krenicky. Both teams currently have a record of 4-2.

Keep your eyes out for Lewis Mills this fall. They will surely give any team a run for their money, no matter the sport. The bar is set high; only time will tell if the Spartans live up to their expectations.