Will Phillips ’16, Matt Depillis ’16: Leaders are typically experienced and older than the people they lead, but sometimes a younger player steps up into the leadership role on a team. Molly O’Brien ‘17, the starting center midfielder on EA’s Girl’s Varsity Soccer team, has taken up this role in only her second year in the program. As a freshman, she became a regular starter alongside impact player, Meredith Manley ’18, and she feels that her previous experience on the team will help her become a leader on the field this year.
Photo courtesy of Sammi Ciardi ’15
In response to her role on the team, she replied, “Just being part of the team isn’t as big of a deal this year as it was last. Becoming a leader is what can separate me as a player this year.” O’Brien is focusing on achieving her personal goals as well as those of the team. Her personal goal is “to score at least one goal in all Inter-Ac games.” Her confidence and determination allow her to make this goal possible. According to Bella Dimarco ‘15, Co-Captain of the Girl’s Varsity Soccer team, “Molly is an amazing player and a key part of our team. She has great skills and speed and reads the field really well, making her a big threat up top. She always works so hard and has really stepped up as a leader this season.”
O’Brien highlighted the collective goals of the team this season as well. “Our team goal this year is obviously to win the Inter-Ac, but we want to do so by beating our rivals, Penn Charter and Agnes Irwin.” Among those who are integral to the team’s success are center backs Maria Kilcullen ‘15 and Bella DiMarco ‘15, forward Jess Shanahan ‘16, and goalkeeper Taylor Long ‘15. These players, along with O’Brien, form the core of a team in good position to reach their goal of winning the league title.
As for her predictions, O’Brien has faith that EA will win the Inter-Ac. “We look to be a really good team and we have a solid starting lineup with many standouts.” Based on several good results so far this season, O’Brien and the Girls Varsity Soccer team are already closer to achieving the ambitious goals they have set for themselves. With O’Brien’s leadership and talent on the field, the EA girl’s soccer program is in good hands this year and for many to come. O’Brien concluded, “We plan to achieve goals, and score them too.”