Genesee Women's Soccer graduating sophomore, Mackenzie O'Brien, has just announced that she is officially committing to Alfred University, where she will be studying Criminal Justice and continuing her soccer career. Mackenzie was the starting center back for Genesee during her freshmen and sophomore season.

During her freshmen year, Mack showed promise immediately. She was stepping into a defense with three other sophomores, as well as a sophomore goalkeeper, and handled herself with effortless poise. She was only one of three freshmen starters and lead the team to a Regional Title and National appearance in the Elite Eight in the fall of 2018. During her sophomore season, she was honored as a captain and continued to start as the center defender. She was a two-time All-Conference player and an All-Region player. O'Brien also played lacrosse and quickly became a starting defender in that as well, where she helped lead the team to Regional Semi-Finals in 2019. Although Mackenzie did not get to play her sophomore season of lacrosse due to Covid-19, she was already showing huge growth and would have been a leader on the team. As for her GPA, she currently has a 3.85. She is also President of our LEADS program and is currently in Phi Theta Kappa as well. Due to Mackenzie's strong athleticism and academic excellence, she was awarded this year with the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.

O'Brien will be hitting the field at Alfred University with her old Genesee teammate, Katline Cartwright. Cartwright played two years of soccer and lacrosse for the Cougars and was successful in both. When Katline had found out that Mack was interested in Alfred she was immediately invested in getting her to come play there. Katline played a holding forward position for Genesee during her time here and was a strong one at that. She was a captain during Mack's freshmen year and had numerous goals and assists. Head Coach, Jeff Reyngoudt, and Assistant Coach, Macy Reyngoudt, are excited that the two of them will get to play together again. "They are both cut from the same cloth; feisty, strong, determined, and talented. Having those two on the field at the same time is electrifying." said Jeff.

The Athletic Department here at GCC is so extremely proud of Mackenzie and she will be greatly missed. Good luck at Alfred University!