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Gold-Medalist Offers Freehold Soccer Teams Some Tips: Gallery
Whenever a soccer ball flies through fields in Freehold, you know the Preston family is not far behind.
Last night, soccer balls kicked by Olympic gold medalist Heather O'Reilly flew through the air at Michael J. Tighe Park, towards the two Freehold Soccer League teams that raised the most money for the Graeme Preston Foundation for Life, the foundation established in memory of Township resident and soccer star Graeme Preston, who was hit by a car and killed at age 12 in 2008.
Graeme's parents, Scott and Annie Preston, looked on as O'Reilly offered training tips and tricks to niece Sarah Preston, on the Under-9 Freehold United team coached by Scott's brother, Pat Preston, and Mia O'Brien, on the Under-17 Freehold Comets, a friend of Graeme's, formerly coached by Scott Preston, and founder of the annual soccer marathon in memory of Graeme.
The training session with the star of the New Jersey Sky Blue team and national champion was a reward for the Under-17 Freehold Comets and the Under-9 Freehold United teams that raised more than $3,000 at last summer's 2nd Annual soccer marathon, the profits of which fund charitable causes throughout the year.
O'Reilly, 25, originally of East Brunswick, spent two hours Thursday coaching the girls on kicking and volleying techniques, and offering them advice on how to approach their soccer careers.
"If I could go back and do it again, I would take more chances at practice," O'Reilly told the girls. "You need to work on the things you're not already good at."
O'Reilly, who trains with Rutgers Assistant Coach Mike O'Neill, was joined by Head Coach Glenn Crooks for the session. The two have offered training sessions together at Rutgers soccer camps, and Crooks brought the current Rutgers team to the marathon last summer.
"[O'Reilly] is really one of the best," said Crooks as they organized players into two teams of mixed age groups. "Not only is she one of the top players in the country, but she works at it, and appreciates her gift, and is just a great kid. She's one of the good ones."
About fifteen United players and 8 Comets ran through drills and techniques with O'Reilly and Crooks before scrimmaging with mixed-age group teams. For all of the girls, it was a chance to learn from an idol, said Comet coach John Santaniello, 46, of Freehold Township.
"I took the girls to see Heather when her team played at Rutgers, and they all got her autograph and everything. They idolize her," he said.
For the younger girls, the excitement was still, well, focused on soccer.
"Do you know [Olympic soccer player] Christie Pearce?" asked one U-9 player, getting excited when O'Reilly nodded. "My aunt is friends with her!"
O'Reilly, playing for both teams on the scrimmage and encouraging all of the girls to take shots, said she hopes to coach one day.
"I love working with kids," she said.
For the Prestons, surrounding the side lines and planning their next Foundation event--a family picnic this June--that is their sentiment exactly. As coaches Scott and Pat mingled with all of the players on the sidelines before the scrimmage, Rutgers Coach Crooks pointed out their devotion to the sport.
"The Prestons are just really great people," he said. "They really love the kids, and Heather and I, we're just happy to help out any way we can."