Junior Ella MacVeagh is a three-year veteran of the girls varsity soccer team, despite a serious injury freshman year. Soccer has always been prevalent in the MacVeagh family. Her older sister Molly, who graduated last year, also played on the soccer team; her father Chan is a youth soccer coach. This interview occurred towards the end of the team’s season.Sag:How is your season going?
EM: Our soccer season is going a lot better than I thought it was going to, although our record doesn’t show it.
Sag: What has been you biggest challenge?
EM:My biggest challenge was when I tore my ACL freshman year. It was during preseason. I had to be out for eight months. When I got back, I wasn’t playing nearly as well as I used to play. I did physical therapy, I did the rehab, and now I’m back.
Sag: Was it tough getting back into shape?
EM:Yeah. Everyone gives you gifts of trashy food and you’re just lying in bed and you get so out of shape.
Sag: How has soccer affected your relationship with your sister and your father?
EM:With my sister, it’s been really fun because we’ve played on the same team for a few years. My dad has been my coach, but he hasn’t been for the past few years. Whoever has played soccer in Brookline knows who my dad is. More people know my dad than know me. It definitely gives us something to connect about.
Sag: How competitive are the girls on the team for playing time, or is it just about supporting each other?
EM:Right now, we have a very small team, so it’s not that competitive, but it was more competitive at the beginning of the season when we had a bigger team. It’s been a very friendly competition. Everyone pushes each other for fun.
Sag: Looking ahead, do you want to play soccer in college?
EM: I think so. I’m going to pick the college based on where I want to go, but if playing soccer is an option, then it will be an added bonus.
Aaron Sege can be contacted at [email protected]
