Sentnor success receives well-earned media notice

Ally Sentnor ‘21 is receiving a lot of attention these days as both an outstanding soccer player and a terrific role model, and the general feeling is that kudos couldn’t go to a nicer person.

 

That’s certainly the consensus in the frieze-bedecked halls of Thayer Academy, where Sentnor earned ISL All-League and NEPSAC All-League honors in both 2017 and 2018 while playing an impactful role in the Tigers’ 2017 NEPSAC championship. The Hanson native then took her talents to the University of North Carolina, earning First Team All-ACC and ACC Midfielder of the Year honors as a redshirt sophomore before being selected first overall by Utah Royals FC in the National Women’s Soccer League’s draft this past January. Sentnor made her NWSL debut March 16 in a home opener against the Chicago Red Stars and scored her first goal March 22 in a 2-1 victory over North Carolina Courage. 

“We are incredibly proud of Ally and thrilled to watch her lead in an arena that feels as if it has been waiting for her arrival,” said Bobbi Moran, Thayer’s director of athletics. “What an incredible nod to Thayer’s girls soccer program to see Ally selected as the No. 1 pick in the NWSL draft.” 

The Boston Globe recently took note of Sentnor’s accomplishments in a March 13 article written by the Globe’s Amin Touri. The piece chronicled Sentnor’s rare combination of talent and drive, evident even at age 6, while noting her ability to remain grounded throughout the development process. 

“There seems to be very little Ally Sentnor wants to talk less about than Ally Sentnor,” wrote Touri in his well-crafted profile of the soccer prodigy who only recently turned 20. 

Sentnor in her NWSL debut

Moran said she received a phone call over Winter Recess from Ally’s mother asking permission for Ally to come to campus and use the soccer field for photos for a news story. “Yes” was the immediate and enthusiastic answer. 

“I was thrilled that she wanted to have photos taken at Thayer,” said Moran. “It’s an honor for Ally to feel such a strong connection to her alma mater.” 

Moran recalled her time working at the Loomis Chaffee School in Connecticut when the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team practiced on the prep school’s fields before a game. Moran took her young daughters to watch the practice and came away impressed at how Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, and their teammates were such great role models. 

“I often think about how hard it is today to be in the limelight with all the social media pitfalls out there,” said Moran, “and yet Ally has demonstrated that she is a tremendous role model and mentor for the next generation of young girls who are searching for great athletes to look up to.”