Font ResizeIt was a brisk windy fall afternoon as Rylee Osgood and the rest of the Trojans' girls' soccer team were busy shaking out the cobwebs following a 1-0 road loss to the Oakmont Spartans.
Osgood stood atop the practice field in an Ogunquit Beach sweatshirt among the rest of the Lady Trojans team. The beach sweatshirt was a far cry from the weather Thursday afternoon, as autumn in New England was beginning to rear her ugly head.
A family tradition, that's what soccer means to the Osgood family. Osgood's two older brothers both donned the Bromfield Trojans soccer kits, what makes you think that she wouldn't do the same thing? Cody Osgood is currently in his junior season with Bentley University and Dylan still continues to impress for legendary Bromfield boys' head coach Tom Hill.
Osgood credits her father for spurring her interest in the game. From an early age she found herself competing in the local Harvard youth leagues. There is no off-season for Osgood and the Trojans' girls' soccer team, as they competed year-round further developing their skills.
"When I was younger, I always played on the Harvard teams. My brothers Cody and Dylan both always played soccer, and I looked up to them and got into it," said Osgood.
If you saw Osgood step off the bus, you wouldn't think that you were looking at the Trojans' leading goal scorer, she's the type of player who doesn't need to let anyone know she is talented -- she'll demonstrate.
The junior
"For me it has been a good year. I have gotten a lot of goals, more than I have in past years. The team is doing well, and we have good players on the team that have helped us," said Osgood.
She is a leader by example, and just an overall easygoing, humble personality who just so happens to possess superior soccer skills.
As the years have gone on, Osgood has been a little bit more vocal and improving her communication on the pitch with her teammates. She is a high-energy player who never seems to stop moving. While only a junior, Osgood has the mental makeup of a seasoned veteran.
"She gives her best at practice and games. She has a very high level of engagement," said coach Gary Wenger. "She is an excellent team member and looks to involve other teammates in the plays -- and she is a great friend on and off the field."
The consensus on Osgood is that she is a nice kid with a tremendous amount of skill and drive. Coach B.J. Pessia commented on the type of player and person that Osgood is.
"She never takes any glory. She's not a show off at all, and she's funny and a good teammate. To have that much skill and still be a nice person is an anomaly, I think," said Pessia.
Osgood described a game in which she and her teammates' backs were up against the wall, trailing 1-0 at halftime, but they were able to persevere. "We played Lunenburg and we were down 1-0 and ended up winning 4-1. We just wanted it more and we got all four goals in the second half."
"Rylee can't pass the ball and go and receive the pass" said Pessia jokingly. Osgood wouldn't want that anyways, as she is the quintessential team player. The Trojans see Osgood as a catalyst in their midfield because of her up-tempo style of play and her infectious, fun-loving demeanor.
At the conclusion of the interview, when asked what professional goalkeeper she would most like to score against, Osgood responded, "Hope Solo. I don't know what I'd say to her. She's pretty amazing, and it'd be pretty cool to talk to her in general."
Osgood could not have demonstrated her playing style any better with that last quote. She is unselfish and takes an all-business approach. Humble, driven and a good teammate, that's what truly separates Osgood from other highly talented players.
