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
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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