IN Canon-Mac Summer 2016 | Page 48

On Photos by Tim O’Donoghue Topof Her A nyone interested in an ice bath? How about lifting weights, climbing stadium stairs and running countless miles? Sound like fun? For some, these activities sound grueling, exhausting and literally painful. But for athletes — those men and women, boys and girls, who find joy, confidence and exhilaration in competing in any number of sports — it’s another day at the office. And for Canon-Mac High School junior Aideen O’Donoghue, it’s exactly what keeps her at the top of her soccer game. “My dad signed me up for soccer as something fun to do when I was little,” says Aideen. “He coached me for the first five years and it was just one of several things I did as a kid.” Aideen was also an Irish step dancer for six years with her cousins and played basketball. “As much as I loved all of those activities, as I grew older, I realized soccer was what I was good at and it’s what I’ve focused on for the last several years,” she says. Her focus and training have been paying off. Not only has she excelled on her high school team as an offensive forward, but she has also made her way through the Riverhounds Academy as a defender. “It’s really been rewarding to play on that team with a great group of girls,” says Aideen. “And, my Riverhounds coaches, Jason Kutney and Scott Gibson, have taught me so much about how to train and the technical aspects of 46 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | Canon-Mac Game Canon-Mac soccer player Aideen O’Donoghue Canon-Mac’s Aideen O’Donoghue credits family and hard work for her success. By W.B. Fresa my position. They’ve provided me with great tools as a player.” Aideen got an additional vote of confidence when Rutgers University came to check her out during her freshman year. “I was shocked and flattered,” she says. “I couldn’t believe they wanted me to play for them. After a lot of thought, and talking it over with my family, I decided to sign with them. I’m really looking forward to playing at the college level even though I still have another year of high school to go.” Aideen says her time playing in high school, along with her coach, have helped shape the player she’s become so far. “Coach Derrico told me he has a lot of faith in me and I think that’s been a key to my confidence and how I play,” says Aideen. “But