Catching up with Leslie O’Brien
Leslie O’Brien was a soccer star at Huntington High School and while she hasn’t quite reached that level just yet at Johns Hopkins University, she’s not too far away either. The former Blue Devil notched the game-winning assist in an NCAA playoff game last Sunday night against Virginia Wesleyan to help propel the Blue Jays into the third round of post-season play and stay unbeaten at 18-0-4.
But, her time on the Johns Hopkins campus isn’t spent all wrapped up in sports. Ms. O’Brien, who is a 2008 Huntington graduate, is also carrying a full load of classes, meeting lots of new people and exploring the surrounding environs. All-in-all, things are going smashingly well for her.
“Being at JHU is like nothing I have ever experienced before,” Ms. O’Brien said. “I absolutely love it here. Soccer is amazing. I couldn't imagine my college life without it. My team is having a really successful season.”
Johns Hopkins captured the Centennial Conference championship with an undefeated record and won both NCAA playoff games it hosted on its Baltimore campus last weekend. Against Virginia Wesleyan, Ms. O’Brien, a 5’9 forward, played 62 minutes, firing off two shots, including one on goal and contributed the game winning assist 36 minutes into the first half.
“The game is certainly at a faster pace in college than in high school, but I have become such a better player by playing alongside so many great players on my own team and against great players from other schools,” Ms. O’Brien said. “Everyone on my team gets along so well and the other girls, especially the other ten freshmen, have become my new family here. I feel like I have known them forever and it's only been a few months.”
Ms. O’Brien played on Huntington’s 2004 Suffolk championship team and was a four-year starter and All-State honoree. She also competed on the winter track team and played lacrosse. “Leslie was a fabulous high school player who had to play out of position to make our team competitive,” said John Walsh, Huntington head soccer coach. “In college, she will excel playing to her strengths on the field. Leslie is a great leader and helped motivate her teammates. She is missed by the Blue Devil Soccer program.”
This fall, Ms. O’Brien so far played in 15 games for Johns Hopkins, tallying three goals and two assists for eight points, recording 18 shots, including nine on goal and scoring one game-winning goal during 414 minutes on the field. She turned 18 years old on October 4.
“The transition from high school to college was definitely a challenge because the level of the academics and the athletics is so much higher here,” Ms. O’Brien said. “I came to a school where almost everyone you meet is brilliant in one way or another and you have to find in yourself what you can contribute to such a diverse environment. I truly believe that in order to make yourself better academically or in sports that you have to compete against the smartest people, which there are a lot of here at JHU. I honestly wouldn't change my college selection for anything. I think I picked the perfect fit for me.”
At Huntington High School, Ms. O’Brien was a member of the National Honor Society, the Italian Honor Society and the Math Honor Society. She was known for her good-natured personality and eye-catching smile.
“My classes are going well so far,” Ms. O’Brien said. “I am taking Intro Chemistry with lab, Calculus II, Intro to Personality Theory and Intro to Digital Photography. I am currently undecided on a major, although I am looking to explore economics while continuing pre-med requirements.”
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