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Signs
Woodstock Academy senior Cole Hackett, flanked by his parents John and Brenda, signs his National Letter of Intent to play men’s soccer at Boston University. Photo by Joel Tretheway/The Woodstock Academy.
Woodstock Academy boys’ soccer coach Paul Rearden just pointed to his head when asked why senior soccer player Cole Hackett drew the attention of Boston University.
“He is just a natural soccer player, and he has the brains to back it up,” Rearden said. “He’s got it all. The next step in his career is a big test, but through the years, every test that has been put in front of him on the field he has risen to and he’s ready for the next one.”
March 20, Hackett signed his National Letter of Intent to play Division I men’s soccer for the Terriers.
“Ever since I was in seventh grade I wanted to play college soccer. To be given the opportunity to play at Boston University is really special,” Hackett said.
All through the process, Hackett had one question for Rearden.
Was he good enough to play for a club like Boston University?
“I kept telling him, ‘Cole, you don’t know how good you can be’. That’s the exciting thing for him. I’ve played with some quality players, coached some quality players and he’s as good as any of them. That’s a compliment,” said Rearden.
Hackett said while his dream was to play college soccer, he also knew that it had to fit him academically and the future economics major feels BU fits the bill.
He also will not be going alone.
Jacopo Ambrosetti, who played for the Centaurs in 2017 as a transfer student from Italy and finished with 17 goals, went home to complete his final year of high school.
He will return stateside as a member of the Terriers in the fall.
“It’s going to be awesome. We’re going to be rooming together, too, so I’m really looking forward to it,” Hackett said. “One of my biggest concerns was rooming with a random person so knowing that it will be Jacopo is cool.”
Hackett said Boston University also had several other advantages for him. It is Boston, in the middle of the action of a lively city, but it’s also close enough so that his parents, Brenda and John, can come and see his games.
“Far enough, but not too far,” Hackett said with a chuckle.
Hackett also thanked Rearden for his influence.
Rearden, a native of Liverpool, England, knows Boston University associate head coach Scott Black who also coaches in Liverpool.
“Coach Paul has a really good connection with him and was able to get Jacopo looked at by him which got me looked at,” Hackett said.
Hackett finished with two goals and three assists for the Centaurs this season.
“He’s a special lad. This is a just reward for all the work he has put in since the day he walked in at Woodstock Academy. It’s been a privilege to work with a great role model for every kid who comes to high school, does athletics, and wants to pursue his dreams,” Rearden said.
Hackett won’t be gone from Woodstock Academy forever.
In fact, he will return shortly after graduation to participate in the Boston University preseason camp which is held at Woodstock Academy.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Hackett said. “I remember last year coming to their preseason here and it will be really exciting to come back to Woodstock to play. Hopefully, all my friends come to preseason to watch me.”
Marc Allard
Sports Information Director
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