The start of the school year signifies the start of fall athletics, which to some students may be the exciting part of school’s starting. Football may get the most attention, but athletes involved in cross country, soccer, tennis, volleyball and more are all gearing up for their equally exciting seasons.

“I play soccer all year round, but there’s something about playing for my school that makes me look forward to this every fall,” said Stephen Scripp, a senior on the men’s soccer team. Scripp has played four years of Academy soccer and hopes to continue playing in college.

Scripp has been labeled a “standout” player by Charlie Lemkuil, a fellow senior and captain for the team. “When he gets the ball, you know a play is going to happen.”

Lemkuil is confident that there are no weak links on the team and maintains that everybody contributes. “Defender Sam Warpinski has always been a physical force in the center and is not afraid to attack, and our goalie Noal Watzka has made some amazing saves and it’s still the beginning of the year.”

This season promises to be exciting because the team is coming back from a down year. “We have been playing like we have that chip on our shoulder,” Lemkuil explained. “Our losses have come from strong teams but we always put up a fight.”

The team recently defeated Southwest with two hard-earned goals at the beginning of the second half.

“In the FRCC, games against Preble, Bayport and De Pere are always battles,” Lemkuil said. “Luckily these are all home games this year so come support!”

“In our sectional path to state, our long-standing rival is Xavier,” he explained.  

The ultimate goal of the team is state.  The last year they won state was 2008 although they qualified in 2015.

“We got the best of them in the 2015 sectional final, so they (Xavier) will be looking for revenge this year,” Lemkuil predicts.

Games aren’t just won on talent alone. Hard work and ambition play a major role too. “Every practice is designed to help us prepare for the game ahead,” said Scripp, “but the intensity at a real game is much higher. Everyone wants to win.”

The team is always looking for new players. Lemkuil recalled one of his favorite stories of new players. “I often share the story of Sam Moss who decided to switch from cross country to soccer his senior year. He ended up earning a starting spot and being named FRCC All-Conference honorable mention.”

Scripp urges interested students to look into soccer. “It’s a really fun sport and there’s a place for anybody on the JV or Varsity team.”