Zachary O'Connor '22 Recruiting Profile

Zachary "Zack" O'Connor #7 (Suffield High School & FSA ENCL RL)

2021 Suffield High School (senior season) - 4 goals, 10 assists

I have been playing soccer since I can remember, starting when I was 3 years old I have had a ball at my feet. My family is a soccer family, my parents met playing soccer, and we watch soccer every weekend (Manchester United preferably). I started playing organized soccer in Kindergarten with my town's soccer club, when I was 10 I began playing to the Simmons Soccer premier Club as well to gain better skills and improve my overall game. This club had a heavy emphasis on ball handling and the importance of fundamentals of dribbling with my head up, being aware of the field around me and finding an open player. For the Simmons Soccer Club I played all positions, mostly defense and goal. Eventually the members of my team moved away from the club for various reasons and I moved to CFC North where I played most of my time in goal and midfield. When I was in 8th grade our family moved to Suffield, CT, and I began playing with the Suffield Travel program and Foundation Soccer Club. On these teams I was moved to winger/striker due to my speed, skill with the ball and my distribution and finishing skills. In looking back on these opportunities, I have played every position throughout my career, which has made me a better all around player.

As a freshman and sophomore at Suffield High School I played starting winger and made varsity my junior year (COVID season). I was happy that my senior season was a full one for our state, I was the starting right winger for my team where I had 4 goals and 10 assists including the winning PK which got our team into the semifinals in the state tournament. 

I am a truly versatile player, having played every position on the field. I have a clean first touch, excellent ball control skills and speed which allow me to create opportunities for me and my teammates. I also have excellent field vision and am not a selfish player; when I see an open teammate I have the ability to get them the ball quickly and to their feet. I know that as a team player everyone needs to be successful, not just me.

As a student, I have learned that I need to put the same amount of effort into my classes as I do on the soccer field. I have consistently been in Honors classes throughout high school but this year I decided to challenge myself and take AP Micro and Macro Economics. I have enjoyed the challenge as well as the realization that I can achieve at high levels. Currently in all of my classes I have As and Bs in addition to working in the restaurant industry 10 hours per week and my soccer schedule. Each of these has taught me valuable lessons that I will be able to take with me to be successful as a student-athlete in college.