Between soccer, football, field hockey and other sports within the fall season, one athlete has stood out for his leadership, skill and dedication. For the month of October, WSPN’s athlete of the month is junior Brady Babineau.
Babineau has been playing soccer since he was young, and he is currently a captain for the boys varsity soccer team, along with being a defender. Babineau has spent years improving his craft, reading the game and being an effective leader.
“Me and the team have worked really hard this season to better the program, show up for the fans, show up for the school and do what we can to make it far into the playoffs,” Babineau said. “I feel like we’ve all worked equally as hard, and I’m excited to be put in this position because it’s been a really fun month.”
Babineau’s decision to play defense comes from his passion to be on the defensive side of the ball, rather than the offensive side, along with his strong awareness and communication on the field.
“I like playing defense because most of my life I’ve been playing defense, I don’t like to score goals as much as I like to stop them,” Babineau said. “When you play center back, you can see the entire field and communicate to your team, that’s what I do best as a leader, make sure everyone knows what’s happening around them at all times.”
This mindset has translated into a number of standout moments this season. One of Babineau’s personal highlights was during the annual Kicks for Cancer game, where Wayland tied Westford Academy. According to Babineau, the team faced some situations of high pressure that put his skills to the test.
“Even though we couldn’t get the outcome we wanted, it was a really good experience,” Babineau said. “With our new team this year, it puts new players in the position to feel what it’s like to play in a playoff game.”
Babineau credits his performance to his team, coaches and family.
“[My supporters] keep me motivated to do better than I did last practice or last week,” Babineau said.
Babineau also recognized teammates, like senior captain Will Klautky, for their leadership and contributions.
“Will’s been injured for a lot of the season, but the passion and the hard work he’s given to this team for the last three years is definitely recognizable,” Babineau said. “He’s been beside me the entire time, leading me throughout this captainship, [and] because I am a junior captain, it is harder to find my role, and he’s really helping me a lot.”
Babineau explained that playing defense is sometimes under appreciated. While strikers often earn the spotlight for scoring goals, defenders play an equally crucial role in keeping their teams organized and preventing scoring opportunities. Defensive play requires constant focus, communication and anticipation skills that can easily go unnoticed by casual fans.
“People don’t realize how impactful a defender is,” Babineau said. “You have to stay aware, communicate and guide your teammates.”
Looking forward to the upcoming playoffs, Babineau’s goal is clear.
“Our goal every season is to win the championship,” Babineau said. “This year it feels realistic, ultimately, I want to get our fourth Division II trophy by either winning the state championship or making the final four.”
