Copyright The Boston Globe
The 16-year-old Concord-Carlisle junior will be the lone Massachusetts representative on the United States U-19 team that is competing this week in Setúbal, Portugal. “It was mind blowing for me,” said O’Donnell, who has verbally committed to play soccer at Duke starting in the fall of 2027. “It’s every girl’s dream who plays soccer to represent their country. I still can’t believe it’s me.” Her meteoric rise included training for a week and a half this summer with the NWSL team Gotham FC. Unfazed by competing against collegiate players and professionals, O’Donnell’s confidence stems from being chosen for a reason: She can handle this level. “I remember how lucky I am to be in the position I am,” she said. O’Donnell (12 goals, 8 assists) sits alone atop the Dual County League scoring race. A leftfooted attacking midfielder for the eighth-ranked Patriots, O’Donnell lines up as a wingback for her club team, FC Stars, and is listed as a defender for the national team. O’Donnell takes her defensive acumen and uses it to her advantage on the high school stage. She understands spacing, angles, hip positioning, and the minutia involved with successful defending. With that knowledge, she exploits advantages that make defenders uncomfortable, rounding out her overall skill-set. No matter the position, she enters a reactionary flow state. “Emmy has told me before that when she’s playing her best soccer, she’s not thinking; she’s dancing, she’s in the flow,” said her father. The 5-foot-4-inch O’Donnell sees passing lanes before they develop. She weaponizes her cardio, instantly winning the ball back in attacking positions and covering massive amounts of the field. “She’s a little feisty, adorable munchkin who comes up with [the ball],” said her proud mother. O’Donnell posted a 4-minute, 54-second mile as a freshman, finishing ninth in the country — in a college meet, held at Boston University. She casually trained once a week leading up to the race. At just 9, she shattered the Alcott Elementary School mile record (5:51). If teams choose to man-mark O’Donnell, she’ll just outrun her opponent. “That cardio workrate, I have never seen a player with that,” said Concord-Carlisle coach Peter Fischelis. Fischelis recalls O’Donnell’s first day of tryouts, knowing he had a truly special talent. “I’ve never seen a player with such tenacity and be able to just go,” said Fischelis. ”It’s like she never gets tired." Her athleticism comes naturally. Her father placed fifth in the triathlon at the US Olympic Trials in 2004. Her mother was an All-American lacrosse player at Yale. But of all the sports she tried, soccer stole Emmy’s heart. Her love for it transcends words, a passion that fills her with happiness and also offers an escape. Emmy, her parents, and the entire O’Donnell family suffered an unimaginable loss in April when eldest daughter, Maisey, a graduating senior at Concord-Carlisle, died from injuries sustained in a car accident in Florida while traveling with classmates. A two-time MIAA Division 1 diving champion headed to Williams, she was a beloved older sister and daughter. Soccer kept Emmy going. Her mental fortitude, not just to continue a skyrocketing playing career in which she has just scratched the surface — but smiling the entire way — can serve as a source of inspiration for all. “On the bad days, it’s a place where you can let out all of that energy,” said Emmy. Her affable spirit evokes apricity. Her personality reverberates with conviviality, despite all her family has been through. She deflects all praise to her coaches and teammates at all times. At the 2025 ECNL Conference Cup in Chula Vista, Calif., in August, O’Donnell was named to the Best XI of the top 120 players in the country. But she also earned an even more poignant distinction: the Katie Meyer F19HT award, presented to the player “who not only showcases exceptional soccer prowess, but also uplifts her teammates with unwavering support and an infectious positive energy that lights up the field.” More than her athletic accomplishments, her parents are most proud of her virtue. “If I had to pick a teammate, it’d be Emmy,” said her mother. ▪ Masconomet and Winchester were two of 63 high school teams to receive the 2024-25 Team Pinnacle Award from the United Soccer Coaches, which honors teams that have achieved a high level of fair play, educational excellence (collective GPA above 3.25), and success on the field (minimum .750 winning percentage). Masconomet is a five-time recipient. Winchester earned its second honor. “It’s just part of the culture,” said Masco coach Alison Lecesse. “It’s part of the expectation that they’re student-athletes and student comes first.” During October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, all 65 players in the Masconomet program have spent their Wednesday afternoons making inspirational cards for people in infusion rooms. Earlier this month, the Masconomet boys’ and girls’ soccer programs collaborated for Socktoberfest, a co-ed tournament, in which players wear crazy, colorful socks and bring a pair to be donated (521 this year). “It’s important that you are part of your community, and you recognize that, and you support your community in whatever way you can,” said Lecesse. Winchester emphasizes volunteering too. The team prepares and serves meals at the Dwelling Place, a soup kitchen in Woburn, runs guest coaching sessions with the town’s youth soccer program, and volunteers at water stations during the Glen Doherty Memorial Road Race. “Because of the volunteering that is done, I think our players are more aware of what being good stewards of the game also means,” said Winchester coach Michelle Ross. ▪ On Monday, two former Globe All-Scholastics were named among the 24 players called up to the US Under-20 Women’s national team training camp. Dartmouth midfielder Anna Leschly (Brookline) and UMass goalkeeper Pepper Escher (Brewster/Worcester Academy) will attend the camp held in Kansas City (Oct. 22-30). The U-20 Women’s World Cup is scheduled for Sept. 5-27, 2026 in Poland. Monday, No. 5 Natick at No. 4 Wellesley, 4 p.m. — Tied atop the Bay State Carey division, this top-five matchup could decide the title. Monday, No. 11 Duxbury at No. 13 Hingham, 6 p.m. — The Dragons and Harborwomen are currently tied atop the Patriot League Keenan division. Monday, No. 10 Winchester at No. 14 Belmont, 6:30 p.m. — With a narrow edge in the Middlesex Liberty standings over Belmont and Lexington, the Red & Black will look to secure the title with a win over the Marauders. Belmont dealt Winchester its only league loss earlier this season. Wednesday, No. 6 Norwell at No. 17 Hanover, 4 p.m. — A nonleague matchup between two Division 3 contenders. Norwell has won seven straight. Hanover has captured 11 of its last 13. Wednesday, No. 7 Concord-Carlisle at No. 3 Needham, 4:30 p.m. — The Patriots visit red-hot Needham, which has won eight straight. Correspondent Henry Dinh-Price contributed to this story.
