Scott O’Brien
Sports Editor
Rory Shepard, a senior All-FCIAC player, verbally committed to Georgetown University’s mens soccer program.
Although Rory has won various individual awards, he stressed that his team’s success is much more important than personal achievements. “I’ve won a few individual awards, but not many,” he said. “I’m a defender, so there’s not too much flash when it comes to playing. It’s more grinding and tackling. On the other hand, I have been on a lot of teams that have won tournaments, leagues and championships, and I’ve learned that your team’s success is really what counts.”
Due to a combination of his technical skills and his team’s success, Rory garnered interest from various division one schools. “A wide range of schools were interested in me: Georgetown, Villanova, Colgate, UNH and Fordham, to name a few,” he said.
In the end, it came down to Georgetown, Colgate and Villanova. “I visited Georgetown a bunch of times and stayed with the team in the spring,” Rory said. “I always knew I loved it. I recently visited Colgate and liked it a lot as well. When I went to Villanova I didn’t get the same feel.”
Rory decided Georgetown was everything he was looking for in a university. “My goal has always been to use soccer to get into an awesome academic school that I wouldn’t normally be able to get into,” he said. “Georgetown is an unbelievably good school. The size is perfect, about 7000 students, and that’s exactly what I wanted. They have a good soccer program that has a shot at making the NCAA tournament every year.”
Rory cannot wait to step foot on the Georgetown campus and begin competing for the Hoyas. “I’m looking forward to a high level of soccer and being part of a team,” he said. “I’ve always played at a high level and I love the atmosphere and camaraderie.”
The Rams Boys Varsity soccer coach, Victor Sanchez, believes Rory has all of the right tools to have a successful career at Georgetown, ” First and foremost he is a leader on and off the field. His work ethic is top-notch. He has a combination of aggressive and powerful play yet, at the same time he plays with a high soccer IQ,” He said. “As long as he stays humble and keeps his drive and passion for the game, he too will become a leader and an asset to the Georgetown program.”
As a captain of this year’s Rams soccer team, Rory is looking forward to enjoying his senior season. “I’ll be playing defense in college, and I play center mid and forward in high school,” he said. “It’s really fun to have a change of pace.”
“I’m going to continue to do what I have always done: High intensity on the field and a good time off the field. I’m not a big fan of stress,” Rory said.
