A Tough Homecoming Loss for Sem

Matt Mascarenhas ‘26

At first glance, Wyoming Seminary’s 26 points might suggest a competitive matchup. But the Pennington Red Hawks proved too much to handle, pulling away for a 50–26 victory on October 10, 2025.

After being shut out 20-0 by Kiski in their home opener, the Blue Knights entered the contest hoping to start a turnaround. Instead, Pennington quickly took control of the game. The Red Hawks forced a quick three-and-out on Seminary’s opening drive, sending punter Cormack Price onto the field early. 

As opposed to the Blue Knights, Pennington wasted no time in making a statement. On their first drive, the Red Hawks needed just three plays to find the endzone, breaking loose for a 47-yard rushing touchdown. 

The Blue Knights’ offense continued to falter during their next possession, losing 10 yards before punting again. Pennington capitalized almost immediately, as its quarterback broke free for a 37-yard touchdown run to extend their lead to 14-0 with 5:24 left in the first quarter. 

Seminary gained its first first down of the game on a catch by tight end Leo Rath, but the drive stalled. A muffed punt by Pennington’s returner bounced harmlessly out of bounds, which was a warning of what was to come.

On the next series, a botched snap rolled to the 2-yard line, where the Blue Knights recovered. Running back Mikey Allard Jr. punched in a short touchdown, though the extra point failed.

Senior lineman Aaron Kutney ‘26 reflected on the team’s resilience: “We made some mistakes early, but we stayed focused and didn’t give up. That’s what this team is all about.” 

Pennington’s ball security concerns continued on their next drive. Another fumble hit the turf, and this time, senior Ryan Crete recovered the ball for a Blue Knight touchdown. The score cut Pennington’s lead to 14-12 after Sem’s two-point conversion came up short.  

The Blue Knights couldn’t sustain momentum. A late safety pushed Pennington’s lead to 16–12, and two more rushing touchdowns gave the Red Hawks a commanding 29–12 halftime advantage.

An onside kick attempt to open the second half backfired, as Pennington scored again in just two plays. Quarterback Nelson Martinez answered with a scrambling touchdown pass to receiver Martin Kasungu, cutting the score to 36–18. But the Red Hawks’ ground game kept rolling, adding two more long touchdown runs to seal a 50–18 lead. 

2025 Girls Lacrosse Season

By Izzy Shoemaker ’26

The Seminary girls’ lacrosse team is celebrating another fantastic season in the Wyoming Valley Conference. Currently a top-five local program, the team boasts a winning record and only three losses heading into districts.

With a deep and talented roster, the Knights have already had plenty to celebrate this season. Standouts Ellie Kersey ‘27 and Kylie Romanchik ‘25 celebrated career milestones earlier in the season. Kersey scored her 100th goal and Romanchik hit 100 points against Bellefonte High School. Anchoring the defense is senior goalkeeper, Eva Blaum ‘25,  who committed to further her academic and athletic career at the University of Toronto.

Both Blaum and Romanchik serve as captains on the team, alongside Avery Luksic ‘25 and Dallas Hanson-Richart ‘25, both of whom were awarded all-conference accolades last season. This veteran core has shaped the girls’ lacrosse program over their four years as team members, and continues to lead and inspire their younger teammates.

These four seniors are eyeing a deep postseason run for the Knights, and their highly talented team is uber dedicated to making a strong run in districts this year. This team is hungry to come out on top and is more motivated than ever to get there. The motivation in part stems from the Knights’ “unfinished business” from last season, when they lost to Abington Heights High School in the district semi-final. Yet, the Knights have grown and came into this season ready to win.

Members of the girls lacrosse team don’t only focus on statistics and wins when discussing lacrosse, however. Three-year team member, Ryleigh McDonnell’26, said, “It’s great to have a lot of success, but I think what everyone enjoys most is playing a sport they love with their friends. It’s my favorite time of year.” Sophia Medico ‘26 agreed, saying, “I look forward to lacrosse every day, and everyone loves being out there together-especially when the weather’s nice!” The team’s ability to foster success and healthy, positive team dynamics has the roster size consistently growing. The Knights surely have the talent and poise to make this season one to remember.

Sem Rowing ‘25: A Season of Trials and Tribulations

By: Abby Ryu ‘26


Wyoming Seminary Rowing has had a rough journey these past few years. Coach-less and boat-less at the start of the 2024-2025 season, the team feared they wouldn’t be able to pull together. Nonetheless, the team persevered, training all throughout the winter on the school’s erg machines or in the weight room. Thanks to continued persistence and hard work by everyone; rowers, parents, and coaches, the team was finally able to make it onto the lake for the spring season.

Going in, both the team and Dr. Froelich still knew the season would not be “normal” and they were right. While the team was thankfully able to resolve the boat situation by continuing their previous partnership with Harvey’s Lake Rowing Club, they still lacked a coach. When the long search for a head coach failed to resolve this problem, Dr. Froelich offered to step up for the position. However, given the risks associated with being a water sport, the school would not allow brand new rowers on the water without the supervision of a familiar licensed professional. Even after the season was approved (with only returning rowers being allowed to participate), the team struggled to get spring practices up and running on a regular basis because of the sport’s unique reliance on weather. The team only started consistently rowing on the lake at the start of April. Initially planning to row three regattas, the team will have only rowed one (City Championships) by the end of the season due to their late start to practice. 

As far as specific goals for next year, second-year rower Claire Woo ‘27 hopes to “row in more races and get better at rowing in general.”. Franny Froelich ‘27, acknowledging the gap left by the many graduating seniors on the team, hopes to also “continue to support the team as a whole.” Considering the many trials successfully overcome by the team this past year and their strong crop of passionate underclassmen, Wyoming Seminary Rowing will certainly be a team to look out for next year!

Regardless of all the trials, the team has also encountered tribulations; nearly all 2024-2025 rowers returned and the team atmosphere remained positive in the face of uncertainty. Reflecting on the season, varsity rower Clare Griffin ‘25 said “Even though it’s been a very unconventional season, I’m really grateful we still have a chance to row. Our team chemistry is really good.”