MARLBOROUGH – The Marlboro Shamrocks call Kelleher Field home.
Shamrock linebacker Will Soto does too – but he means it literally.
Proudly raised in Marlborough, Soto has been playing on Kelleher Field since he was eight. Now 23 years old, he now plays football for the Shamrocks, suiting up for his hometown every Saturday night.
Raised in Marlborough
Soto first started football when he was four years old after his parents signed him up, and he has loved the game ever since. After moving to Marlborough before third grade, Soto joined the city’s youth football league and was already competing on Kelleher Field.
In an interview with the Community Advocate, Soto said that Marlborough was the perfect environment for sports throughout his childhood.
“It’s a city, but it’s a suburban city. I had lots of friends who played sports and we were always very close to each other. There’s such a town pride that comes with Marlborough and all of its sports. It was really cool to play all the way through the youth program,” he said.
Soto said that he grew familiar with the Marlboro Shamrocks organization during his youth football career. Although the Shamrocks rebranded to become the Worcester Mass Fury during the 2006 season, the Shamrocks left several mementos at Kelleher Field.
“The Shamrocks’ banner and plaques were up [on the fences] pointing out all their national championships,” Soto said. “They weren’t a team, but I did know the legacy of the Shamrocks.”
Assabet, Wagner, and Westfield
As high school approached, Soto chose to attend Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School over Marlborough High School. Soto knew he wanted to attend college, but he also wanted to experience the trades. Influenced by his three older siblings all of whom attended Assabet, he chose to become an Aztec.
It was the right choice.
“I loved it,” he said. “I’m very glad I went there.”
Although Soto played four sports – baseball, basketball, lacrosse and football – over four years, he was profoundly talented at football. Soto secured a scholarship to play football at Wagner College, which is located on Staten Island, N.Y., and competes in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.
“That was amazing,” Soto said. “Going from Assabet – a low-division school in Massachusetts – to playing Division 1 teams [like] Syracuse, [the University of Connecticut], and [Florida Atlantic University], and just the talent difference. It made me such a better player. It was truly amazing to go there and just experience what it’s like to be a Division 1 athlete.”
Soto was told he was the first Assabet player to go Division 1 in any sport. He attributed much of his success to his hometown of Marlborough.
“Growing up in Marlborough, I had some phenomenal coaches throughout my youth… Then, at Assabet, I had even more coaches that were amazing. They played to my strengths, [and] they pushed me to be better throughout my career than I was or thought I could be,” he said.
After two years at Wagner, and with COVID-19 compromising athletic seasons around the globe, Soto transferred to Westfield State University to be closer to home. After one season at Westfield State, Soto had completed his degree, yet “didn’t want to give [football] up quite yet.”
Looking for ways to extend his athletic career, Soto remembered the banners he had seen as he played youth football. In 2019, the Shamrocks returned to Marlborough – just in time for Soto to “give it a shot.”
Soto joined the team for the start of the 2022 season.
An educator and athlete
While Soto is undoubtedly passionate about football, he works hard to balance his athletic endeavors with his other major passion: teaching. Soto teaches mathematics at Maynard High School full time.
“I love it,” he said. “I’m interested in helping kids through some of the toughest classes they take in high school. Every day is different – every individual student is different – and [teaching] keeps you on your toes every day. I want to be the teacher that people remember and say, ‘That’s the teacher I love the most.’”
The students are aware of Soto’s football prowess, and Soto says that playing on the Shamrocks only helps strengthen his relationship with his students.
“It’s how I connect with a lot of the athletes that I teach. I tell them that I’m still an athlete, and I still try to play and work out and do all that stuff,” he said.
Marlboro Shamrocks
Soto’s first season with the Shamrocks ended with an unfortunate title game loss. Although this year’s team has struggled early – going 2-2 over four games – Soto is confident the team will rebound and live up to the community’s lofty standards and expectation of success.
Bill Soto, his father, coaches the team’s defensive linemen. Will Soto – who plays linebacker – isn’t coached directly by his father, but the two often have in-depth conversations about the playbook and the defense.
Soto mentioned that throughout his time with the Shamrocks, he’s been blown away by the fanbase.
“The community around Marlborough sports – from youth, to high school, to the semi-pro level – is amazing. Obviously, through youth sports everyone knows everyone. It’s very supportive and everyone loves the team. In high school, Kelleher Field is packed… There are so many people. Playing for the Shamrocks, it’s crazy because we play teams from bigger areas – like Boston or Springfield – and yet somehow Marlborough always turns out with the most fans at home games. Our fans travel really well too… It’s amazing to see the support,” he said.
Soto hopes to enjoy many more seasons with the Shamrocks, but for now he just feels lucky to have the privilege of playing for his hometown team.
“It’s amazing to play for such a legendary program in Marlborough as someone who grew up in and considers themselves to be from Marlborough. It’s just amazing to play for a team with such a legacy like the Shamrocks,” he said.
