Portsmouth's Marykate McGuire realizes goal, signs with Duke

Dream of playing for Division I college program comes true

By Jim McGaw
Posted 2/10/18

PORTSMOUTH — It’s been a long and often frustrating journey, but Portsmouth High School senior Marykate McGuire kept her eye on the prize: playing soccer for a Division I college …

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Portsmouth's Marykate McGuire realizes goal, signs with Duke

Dream of playing for Division I college program comes true

Posted

PORTSMOUTH — It’s been a long and often frustrating journey, but Portsmouth High School senior Marykate McGuire kept her eye on the prize: playing soccer for a Division I college program.

That goal was officially realized Friday afternoon, when Miss McGuire signed commitment papers to play for Duke University — on a full scholarship — during a ceremony led by Athletic Director Stephen Trezvant inside the school’s field house. 

“Since second grade” she’s dreamed of playing for a Division I school in North Carolina, Miss McGuire told a small crowd of friends, teammates, teachers, other supporters and her parents, Matt McGuire and Karen Amber.

“It’s unbelievable that it’s really all happening,” she said.

Miss McGuire was named Rhode Island’s Gatorade Player of the Year — given to the state’s top player — three consecutive years starting when she was a freshman. She also helped the Patriots win two Division I state championships during her freshman and junior years. (She spent her sophomore year at St. George’s School in Middletown before transferring back to PHS.)

Miss McGuire may well have gone on to win her fourth straight Gatorade Player of the Year award and a third state championship with PHS had she not torn her ACL and MCL in her left knee while playing for her club team last spring. The injury sidelined the state’s best player for entire senior year.

However, with disappointment came a valuable lesson: Miss McGuire said she learned to appreciate every opportunity to play the sport that means so much to her. 

“That was most important to me, to see how much I love soccer and how much I want to stick with it,” she said. “From now on, I’m not going to take it for granted. I’m really going to take advantage of it.”

As for her injury, she said she’s “90 percent cleared” to compete and that she’ll be ready to play for the Blue Devils when she reports to the team Aug. 1.  

“I’m practicing now. I feel great and I am so excited to play soccer again,” said Miss McGuire, who thanked Don Levine of Olympic Physical Therapy for helping her through her recovery.

Can’t hold her back

After the ceremony, Mr. Levine said Miss McGuire worked extremely hard in physical therapy and training and that he expects her to be “100 percent” when she heads to Duke.

“She’s one of those players that you can’t hold back,” Mr. Levine said.

Miss McGuire took time to thank all of her supporters over the years. “I’ve learned that no matter what, soccer is great, but the connections and friendships I’ve made, and the teachers and coaches I’ve had, that’s the most important thing,” she said. “I’m so thankful to have people around me … who care and want to help me.”

Miss McGuire said she’s excited to play in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) on a competitive team such as Duke, which reached the Final Four the last two seasons. While she’s not yet sure what she’ll major in, she’s happy to be going to such “an amazing school for academics.”

At this point, her main focus is on soccer. “I want to play soccer as long as I can, and I know I’ve got to compete for it,” she said.

Playing Division I college soccer may have been one of her goals, but Miss McGuire has an even bigger one.

“It’s always been my dream to play in the Olympics. That’s my plan someday, if I’m lucky enough. To get called up to the national team would be a dream come true,” she said.

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