Michael Venneri ’27
Photo courtesy of James Quinn
Senior Captain of the Boys Soccer team, Mikey McGonagle ’26, plays with an intensity that is driven by his passion for the game and commitment to excellence. McGonagle is known for his ability to finish the ball and create a scoring opportunity from anywhere on the field. As a striker for EA, McGonagle has been a go-to player in critical moments. Ever since he joined the varsity team as a sophomore, McGonagle has made an undeniable impact.
McGonagle started playing soccer when he was four years old after being introduced to the game by his older sister, who also played soccer. “I just followed her lead,” McGonagle says. He came to Episcopal as a freshman, and that year, he played on the JV team. This was a fun experience for McGonagle and an important part of his high school career. “We had a great team, and a great coach, Coach Morris,” says McGonagle. Following his freshman year, he has been on varsity ever since.
McGonagle also plays for a competitive club team, Hex FC, where he plays in the midfield rather than his striker position at EA. The ability to play two different positions contributes to McGonagle’s deep understanding of the game and allows him to be a more versatile player.
One of McGonagle’s teammates and Co-Captains, Caleb Lebowitz ’26, believes McGonagle always leads by example and lets his game speak louder than his words. “He is very competitive and always gives 100 percent while holding everyone to the same standards as himself.” Lebowitz continues, “You can’t watch him play and not want to work just as hard.”
Senior Co-Captain, Frank Shanahan ’26, speaks to McGonagle’s leadership qualities on and off the field.“He gives energetic pre-game speeches that get everyone fired up for the game.” Shanahan continues, “When Mikey gives advice, you listen. He may get after you sometimes, but it’s always to help you improve.” Shanahan also remembers a special moment when McGonagle scored a game-winning goal against Westtown School. “When he walked into the locker room after the game, that was the happiest I had ever seen him.”
McGonagle’s ambition is what makes him stand out most. Head Coach Zachary Ward says that, “he refuses to be outworked. He’s always looking to improve, and that creates an environment that pushes everyone else to be better.” Consistent effort never goes overlooked, and McGonagle ensures that his teammates meet this standard. He holds his teammates accountable, but also supports them at the same time..
McGonagle’s teammates agree that his dedication sets the team up for success. Junior teammate Charlie Esterhai ’27 remarks that McGonagle always reminds the team to be focused before games and during practice. Esterhai says that he “admire[s] his hard work after practice. We all see this extra work, and it motivates us to strive to work harder.” Esterhai describes how McGonagle always lifts up his teammates when they make mistakes, “he keeps things positive and knows how to motivate us proactively.”
Another teammate on the soccer team, Junior Charlie Rihn ’27, admires McGonagle’s focus, especially in high pressure situations. Rihn states, “He is focused, and he’s a great technical player that can create offense and do crucial things when off the ball. You can trust him to score in big moments.” Rihn remembers a memorable moment from this season that McGonagle stepped up when the team needed him. Rihn explains, “During the first game of the season against Roman Catholic, we were losing by one, and Mikey scored a goal to get us back in the game, which gave us hope and determination to come back.”
For McGonagle, leading the EA soccer team means much more than just scoring goals. He explains that, “I just want to lead the team and make sure that every time one of our guys steps out on the field, they play to the best of their ability and do so with confidence.” Looking ahead to EA-Haverford Day, McGonagle is focused on finishing the season as well as his EA soccer career on a high note. He explains that, “I haven’t won on EA-Haverford Day on varsity yet, so being able to go out on a win is the main goal.”
McGonagle’s career will not come to an end after his senior season. He recently committed to play at the University of Scranton where he knows he can, “go there and make an impact right away.” There is no doubt that McGonagle will continue to shine at Scranton, and the things he has learned at Episcopal will reflect in his collegiate career. His love for the sport, combined with his commitment to improvement, will surely carry him far. Ward concludes, “He has developed into a great player and leader, but most importantly, he has found something he is truly passionate about.”
