In her first season wearing red, black and gray, McCabe made some noise in only her second game, but also chipped someone's tooth at the end.

In marker, Halle McCabe writes three letters and two dots on a piece of tape she places on her left wrist before soccer games.

She writes T.A.E the initials of the former Marlborough High soccer star's late grandfather, Thomas Anthony Etre, or as McCabe calls him, Papa.

Before his death, McCabe, who just finished her freshman year at Northeastern University, wore a white headband to her games so that her grandfather could see her. He had vision complications due to health issues. But even after the loss of Etre, McCabe still has him on her mind and his name on her wrist.

"He went to all of my games and was a huge supporter of mine," McCabe, 19, said.

Over four seasons at Marlborough High, that support, whether it was there or in spirit, certainly helped McCabe. She scored 71 goals and recorded 30 assists while being named an All-State selection three-straight years and earning Midland-Wachusett League MVP honors her senior season.

After those four years of high school came to a close, the standout moved on to play Division I soccer last year.

In her first season wearing red, black and gray, McCabe made some noise in only her second game, but also chipped someone's tooth at the end.

In Brookline on Aug. 25, 2019, in a game against the University at Albany, Northeastern headed over to their home field on the team bus. Everyone was doing what they could to get ready and McCabe was no exception.

She sat in her seat listening to a video on YouTube called, "CONFUSE THEM WITH YOUR SILENCE | POWERFUL Motivational Video Speech Compilation." She listens to this video constantly to get pumped up for games.

It essentially drills the viewer with the thought of working hard instead of settling.

Well, McCabe received the message.

In the 81st minute of play, she pushed the ball into the box and made a pass to senior captain Emily Evangelista, who struck the game-winner into the back of the net.

This was McCabe's first career collegiate point. She added two more assists five days later in a 4-1 win over Harvard University.

"Halle's career is about to explode," Evangelista said. "Shes selfless and endlessly talented and I cant wait to see what she does."

After the aforementioned score, she and Evangelista sprinted into each other's arms, but each came in a little too hot for the hug.

"She actually hit her tooth on my head and the whole time we were partially celebrating but also laughing that we just bonked heads and no one knew," McCabe said. "I love looking at those pictures because it reminds me of how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to celebrate something like that and to enjoy the sport I have always loved."

"I think I celebrated a little too hard," Evangelista said. "She's also the only person on the team smaller than me and I think I forgot about that for a hot (second)."

Standing at 5-foot-1, McCabe may be one of the smallest on the field, but with her rolled up sleeves that take the form of a cutoff shirt, it adds a little edge.

"I dont have huge muscles or anything, so it's not like I'm trying to show them off. But now it's just a habit," McCabe said, "Maybe it makes my 5-foot-1-self a tad bit more intimidating."

She also had a few other habits.

"Halle does this weird thing with her ear and at random times will just tuck it in," said recent Marlborough High graduate Lucy Cappadona.

"Half the time she doesnt even realize shes doing it," Evangelista said.

Just like in high school, McCabe started almost every game and made a consistent impact. While she played against a lot of new faces at the next level, she may get to face off against a very familiar one this upcoming season in Cappadona.

Childhood best friend and former Marlborough teammate.

Both of their mothers played soccer together for Marlborough High and the apple didnt fall far from the tree. Cappadona will play for the University of Connecticut in the fall, so the two best friends will share something in common again, besides playing Division I soccer.

"The both of us will be playing for the Huskies," McCabe said.

While they'll both dawn the animal on their jerseys and battle it out on the field; its fun to look back at where they were years ago.

"We used to dress up as boys all the time and play mini basketball and act like we were on the Celtics," Cappadona said. "We looked so much alike; people used to ask us all the time if we were sisters."

Cappadona and McCabe certainly share similarities.

"We love some competition," Cappadona said. "I hope we see each other at the collegiate level, playing against a best friend would be super fun."

VIDEO: Watch an old video of Marlborough's Halle McCabe, Lucy Cappadona dancing to a song

Before playing Division 1 soccer for@GoNUwsoccer,@mccabe_halle was an ace on the dance floor with best friend and possible collegiate opponent UConn soccer commit Lucy Cappadona. Check out my story coming soon on the former@Marlpanthercom star for@MetroWestSports@Jrudzinskypic.twitter.com/IKHLrkXYKH

Link:

On Campus: Marlboroughs Halle McCabe makes her mark on the soccer field at Northeastern University - MetroWest Daily News