Haverford School’s Connor Gregory is Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week
A senior striker and team captain, Gregory tallied hat tricks in three consecutive games, victories over St. Augustine Prep (Sept. 24), Holy Ghost Prep (Sept. 28) and St. Joe’s Prep (Sept. 30). Last fall, he was voted the Inter-Ac’s MVP, and was All State and Regional All-American. He has been the Fords’ leading scorer for the past two years.
Q: You scored 20 goals last year on a team in which no one else scored more than six. How do you view your leadership role on offense as the team’s leading scorer?
A: While I understand that I am in a leadership role on offense, it’s hard to think of many of my goals that weren’t assisted by Jerry Karalis, who also shares much of the attacking responsibility.
Q: Scoring a hat trick three times in a row is a unique accomplishment. What (to you) was the key to your performance?
A: It certainly has been exciting but I’ve just been lucky enough to be the guy to get the last touch that puts the ball in the net. In reality, there is so much more behind-the-scenes kinds of work that goes on within the team for the goals to come.
Q: Was there one play during that stretch that stands out in your memory – if so, can you briefly describe how the play developed and your role in it?
A: The one play that stands out in that stretch was in our game against St. Joe’s Prep. Junior Josh Ridenhour crossed a ball into the box and sophomore Parker Gravina dummied the ball through his legs for me to strike first time. The play showed how the future of the program is already here, and they’re making a difference for the team.
Q: What did it mean to you to be selected the Inter-Ac MVP last fall?
A: I was extremely proud to be selected Inter-Ac MVP last year, but I mean it when I say the award could have gone to several of my teammates.
Q: What (to you) has been the highlight of your Haverford School soccer career? What is your most vivid memory of that experience?
A: The highlight of my Haverford School soccer career was scoring the winning goal to beat the then-No. 1 team in the country, St. Benedicts, in 2014.
Q: Who is your favorite soccer player, and why? Is there a player whose game you try to pattern your own after?
A: My favorite player is Eden Hazard. I try to pattern my game after Gareth Bale as I, too, am a left-footed winger.
Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game?
A: I’d like to think my strongest part of my game is 1 v 1 attacking.
Q: Who have been your top soccer mentors, and what has been the most important thing each of them taught you?
A: I am naturally a winger, but over the last four years Coach [Bill] Brady has helped me tremendously in turning me into striker. Getting years of coaching on another position than the one I’m used to has helped me develop over all as an attacking player.
Q: What did you find to be the biggest challenge in switching from winger to striker?
A: The biggest adjustment in the switch from winger to striker has been playing with my back to the goal, as opposed to running at defenders, facing the goal.
Q: You are committed to the admissions process at Brown – what particularly attracted you to Brown, were there other schools in the running? What would you like to major in at Brown? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: The biggest attraction of Brown in the recruiting process was that the coaching staff understood and valued my strengths and also the things that I value, which all fit perfectly with what they wanted and needed in the 2016 class. Other schools were in the running, but it ultimately came down between Harvard and Brown. As of now, I plan to study International Relations at Brown.
Q: How long have you attended Haverford School? What (to you) is the best part of attending Haverford School?
A: I have attended Haverford since fifth grade. The best part of attending Haverford is that the atmosphere in every classroom, hallway, or cafeteria is extremely fun.
Connor Gregory’s top picks
Book: Brave New World.
TV show: Breaking Bad.
Movie: Reservoir Dogs.
Pre-game pump up song: “I don’t listen to pre-game music.”
Athlete: Eden Hazard.
Team: Real Madrid.
(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)
