Athlete of the Week: Devin Moore

Senior Devin Moore artfully weaves the ball down the field, juking defenders twice his size, leaving them tangle-legged and spitting grass as they scramble to keep up with the fast and agile center midfielder. Although Moore is often the smallest on the field, he captures the spotlight during games as he leads his team down the field, creating plays with smart passes and impresive goals. Anyone who underestimates Moore is sorry to do so. Co-captain of the boys’ soccer team, a top scorer, trusted, intelligent, light-hearted and hardworking, Moore is the glue that keeps the Exeter soccer team together.

Moore began his athletic career at age four, when his father piqued his interest in soccer. Since then, Moore has fallen in love with the game and has “always wanted to keep playing it,” Moore said.

He’s enjoyed the team aspect of soccer, and the majority of his strongest friendships have been fostered by the tight-knit environment of the team.

Upper Tarek Khartabil, who has played soccer alongside Moore since middle school, praised Moore as a great teammate on and off the field. Off the field, Moore is known among his friends for his sense of humor, light-hearted demeanor and trustworthiness, all of which have also translated into his soccer play. On the field, Moore gives insightful advice and works to better his teammates and team.

“Devin is great teammate that loves to show by example. [For example], if we are down by a goal or in a tough situation, he will stay calm, and it makes the rest of the team composed as well.”

“As a teammate, [Moore] tells you what you can do the next time to create a better opportunity. He will work with you and if need be, take it on himself to make something out of nothing and create plays,” Khartabil said.

According to his teammates and coaches, Moore leads by example. While he doesn’t necessarily say much, he motivates his teammates by working hard and always maintaining composure and a positive attitude.

“Devin is great teammate that loves to show by example. [For example], if we are down by a goal or in a tough situation, he will stay calm, and it makes the rest of the team composed as well,” senior Jacob Dupont said.

In addition, as a leader, Moore creates opportunities for the team. Especially skilled in reading situations and finding openings, Moore controls the game and creates plays out of even the toughest situations, a skill that has proved valuable across his career at Exeter.

“While at Exeter, Devin has been a tremendous contributor to the soccer team,” head coach Arthur Cosgrove said. “His creativity and athleticism make us dangerous. He is a great combination player who can play all over the field. This year, I am relying on him to generate goals for us.”

One of Moore’s greatest challenges thus far in sports has been his smaller size. Moore has had to work extra hard to compete against his stronger and bigger opponents. Despite this physical obstacle, teammates explained that Moore is still one of the best players on the field with his intelligence and skill more than making up for his size.

Boys’ hockey coach and Moore’s advisor Dana Barbin said Moore has what he likes to call “terrific hockey IQ.” “He’s a thinking guy. He doesn’t say a lot, but he’s always thinking. He’s always watching and always learning,” Barbin said.

Upper Greg Shapiro agreed with Barbin. While Moore may be smaller than his opponents, he is more creative and knowledgeable about the game. Moore’s apparent physical disadvantage dissipates when one sees him playing on the field. Confident and skilled, Moore sets the pace of games while his opponents can do nothing but try to catch up.

“As an athlete, Dev is so shifty and crafty. With his size, it can be difficult to play at a high level, but he always finds a way to get himself out of the dirty areas and make a nice play,” upper Greg Shapiro said. “Whether it is scoring a great goal or making a great pass to a teammate, he seems to be able to do it all with ease.”

In fact, Moore is one of the top scorers for the Exeter soccer team. In 2014, Moore was named a Western New England Prep School Soccer Association All Star and a New England Preparatory School Athletic Council All Star.

Moore’s athletic prowess will be valuable to the team this season, according to Cosgrove. “Last year, while he scored a bit, I needed to use him to help us defensively,” he explained. But this year, Cosgrove plans to use Moore more as an offensive weapon.

Senior and co-captain of the boys varsity soccer team Trevor Cosgrove illustrated what a prolific player Moore is by recounting a soccer camp memory in Iowa. “He ended up playing against kids two years old than us and [still] scored 12 points and the game winning goal in the championship game,” Trevor Cosgrove said.

Trevor Cosgrove and Moore have forged a strong friendship over their love of sports, and the two share a mutual respect, both for each other and for their sports. “He has always been a clutch player and in all honesty, just a clutch person,” Trevor Cosgrove said. “Dev is like a little brother to me.”