Fall Sports:
Girls’ Soccer
The 2024 season was one of the best for girls’ soccer in all of HSMSE’s history. This year, the team only had one loss in the regular season, leaving them with an 8–1 win–loss record and the top seed of the 2A division. The team improved since their last season, where their record was 9–3. The sweaty practices and hours of training were all worth it in the end. The girls’ hard work and dedication this year won them the championship against Eleanor Roosevelt High School! The game attracted the biggest crowd they’ve seen to Randall’s Island on the night of Saturday, November 9. It was a great game filled with high intensity, energy, and incredible talent; the HSMSE fans were cheering as loud as they could and a flurry of posters sparked spirit amongst the community. The team is sad to see their seniors say goodbye, including their starting goalie, Evelina Piwnik (’25), but they recognize their high school soccer careers ended in the best way: with a medal.
Boys’ Soccer:
After two consecutive championship titles, the boys’ soccer team went into the season with high expectations. From last school year, they lost a handful of seniors (’24) but their former juniors (’25) were ready to step up and be the leaders of the team. They went 6–4 in the regular season but their playoff spot was secured. They played against Lab Museum United, unfortunately facing a loss with a final score of 6–5. While the outcome was not as the Dragons had hoped, they played incredibly as a team. They tied 2–2 at the end of the second half and went into a penalty shoot-out. The difference of one shot cost them their chance in the playoffs. The Dragons are already looking towards the fall where they get another shot (no pun intended) to win their third championship title.
Cross Country:
Starting in summer, the cross-country team was hard at work. Their daily practices and long distances paid off as the girls and boys teams had incredible performances. Two members of the boys’ team, Isaac Tom (’26) and Brendan Hofmann (’25), went onto the 2024 New York State Federation Championship. They qualified individually with their times in the PSAL City Championship, where the boys’ team came in sixth place overall. The Flying Dragons are sad to see their seniors leave them, including their strongest athletes and captains, but optimistic to see what the underclass can bring to the team in the fall.
Winter Sports:
Girls’ Basketball:
The girls’ basketball team showed incredible resilience this season as they overcame challenges and found their way into the playoffs. With CCNY’s Nat Holman Gymnasium closed for construction and their opponents constantly forfeiting, the girls lost playing and practice time—but they were dedicated and kept working hard. When the gym reopened they were back and stronger than ever. In the regular season they won 12–2 and played in the first two rounds of playoffs. Their season came to an end after a close game against Summit Academy Charter School, where the difference was one basket. This was one of the strongest seasons HSMSE’s girls’ basketball team has seen!
Boys’ Basketball:
While the boys’ basketball team’s season did not result in a chance in the playoffs, they demonstrated determination and growth in the face of adversity. They adapted to challenges, injuries, and obstacles securing practice space, which allowed them to grow as a team regardless of their season’s outcome. We wish them the best of luck and success for next season!
Indoor Track & Field:
There are nearly 90 athletes in the HSMSE indoor track team and this season was one of their strongest yet! Collectively, the boys won first place in the Manhattan borough; the girls’ team, with only 19 members, came in third place. The team is filled with incredibly dedicated athletes who spent long hours after school practicing at The Armory and whole days at meets during the weekend. Six athletes, Brendan Hofmann (’25), Henry Dahl (’25), Beckett Jones (’25), Bruno Wallace (’25), Andreas Tsatsas (’26) and Oren Vecerka (’28), went on to compete in Nationals, an incredible accomplishment and a true show of their hard work. Ranging from long-distance running to high jump to the 55-meter hurdles, this team was the top in every event. This season would not have been as successful without the incredible seniors and the Flying Dragons will miss them as they go on to new chapters of their lives!
Spring Sports:
Girls’ Softball:
This year the HSMSE girls’ softball team competed in the highest PSAL division, 3A Manhattan I, putting them against other top schools like Bronx Science, Curtis High School, and their biggest rival, Stuyvesant. They played tough games, and despite two losses in the regular season, they secured their spot in playoffs as the eighth seed, giving them a bye for the first round. This year they had one of the most successful seasons ever with 17 talented players. The Dragons say underclassmen have stepped up to try new positions, including filling the spots seniors will be leaving empty next season. They pushed through the cold and rain, and, led by Ms. Downey’s skillful coaching, ended the season in the quarter finals where they played James Madison High School (the second seed). The Dragons were sad to see their season come to an end but after 13 impressive wins, it’s awesome to know they are part of the top eight teams in the five boroughs. From early morning practices to late night commutes after games, the team put in tons of hard work. Huge shout-outs to the star seniors: Liana Weissman (’25), Rebecca Rha (’25), and Emily Dow (’25); the softball team won’t be the same without them. If you’re interested in joining next year, make sure to check out pre-season club practices! Congrats to the girls’ softball team for their amazing year!
Boys’ Baseball:
Under the guidance and care of Mr. Zara, the boys’ baseball team had a hard-fought and memorable season. From early morning practices in October to raking the field before games, they worked incredibly hard to have an 8–1 season, and a remarkable five rainouts. The boys advanced onto the second round of playoffs, though they faced what you might call a playoff curse, as they lost on May 28, 2025 to Morrisania Educational Campus 9–6. A close game, with many exciting moments and nail-biting at-bats, the boys’ season had come to an end. Eight of the 18 players are seniors, leaving huge gaps in next year’s roster and a bittersweet goodbye. Thank you to the seniors for showing up despite their senioritis and helping to lead the team through tough games, fighting softball for practice space at 7 a.m., enduring starter’s injuries, and doing landscaping work in Inwood. Best of luck with everything coming the seniors’ way!
Boys’ Volleyball:
This year, HSMSE’s boys’ volleyball team unfortunately did not make it to the playoffs. Over the course of the season, they had many challenging games, but they started out on a high note: Despite it being HSMSE’s first game of the season, they managed to beat Hunter in two sets. Sean Chew (’25) and Keahi Gal (’25) attacked relentlessly to seal our first win of the season at home. One notable game this season was against MLK. The Dragons lost the first set, but HSMSE regrouped and came out energetic and prepared for the second set. HSMSE pulled away early and won the second set. Unfortunately in the third set, HSMSE lost their nerve, giving the game to MLK. The last game of the season, which HSMSE needed to win to reach the playoffs, was against MCSM. The Dragons were hyped and excited to give it their all on the court. Despite their best efforts, the Dragons lost the first set; yet they gained momentum in the second set. Vihaan Parikh (’27) capitalized on Ansel Shirasu-Hiza (’26)’s accurate passes to deliver spikes deep into the opposing team’s court. The third set was extremely close. With the help of their loud fans, MCSM was able to pull ahead and secure the win. HSMSE finished with a 4–6 record. Big thanks to the parents and students who came to support the HSMSE volleyball team throughout the season, especially to Joel Shirasu-Hiza for taking the time to photograph the team. And most of all, thank you Coach Diunte.
Outdoor Track & Field:
The outdoor season started in the second week of March and continues until the first week of June. They practice five times a week, with two days of practice at school, one day at the gym, and two days at Icahn Stadium. At practice, athletes focus on their specific events as they set goals for the next meet. Some highlights from their season: Aaron Darko (’27), Eric Walker (’27), Wren Hansen (’27) and Tann Waraloardgoson (’25) qualified for the 1600-meter sprint medley relay in outdoor nationals, and Beckett Jones (’25) qualified for the city championship in three different events and nationals in the 100M hurdles. Congratulations to all the Flying Dragons who broke personal and school records this season, and to all the incredible seniors whose many seasons of hard work are coming to an end.
Ultimate Frisbee
The Ultimate Frisbee team, while not an official PSAL sport, is an important addition to HSMSE’s athletics. They practice once a week in the mornings until their season begins in March. This season they have made an incredible improvement from the previous year, walking away as the Club B Division Champs with a completely undefeated season! Congratulations to the Ultimate Frisbee team for all their hard work and success!