Justin Chin wasn’t some ordinary under-the-radar guy on the Mahopac soccer team. The Class of 2026 graduate was one of those “glue guys” every soccer team needs to be successful.
Chin didn’t draw the attention that All-NYS Aidan Paris-Devane did or All-Section striker Oliver Filip did, but coach Chris Mulholland said selfless players like Chin keep the engine running on all cylinders.
Chin made every possession cleaner, every rotation sharper, every teammate better.
Mulholland knows that teams thrive because of the “glue guys” — the ones who do the running, the communicating, the dirty work, the calming and the connecting. Chin lived in that role every day while establishing an All-Section work ethic.
“He’s an A-plus student and an even nicer kid,” Mulholland said. “Even beyond this past year, every year I had Justin on the team, he improved and pushed others to do so as well. He came into this season flying and was a serious issue for any defender who had to deal with him 1-on-1. Fast, technical, and smart, he made our attack and our press really hard to handle and was a massive part of our success this season.”
He had some of his best performances in some of Mahopac’s biggest games.
“He scored some really important goals for us, kickstarting the comeback at home against Carmel with a great header that brought us back into the game,” Mulholland said. “He left an incredible impact on the program, and we are going to miss his presence a ton this coming season.”
That’s not coach-speak. That’s respect earned over years of consistency, maturity and a team-first mentality.
Chin operated under the radar, but never under the standard. He read the flow of a match better than most and was the dude who did the dirty work with zero ego. Chin lived and relished his role — filling gaps, supporting the attack and stabilizing the midfield to help state-ranked (No. 11) Wolf Pac reach its first sectional championship before losing, 3-1, to Harrison last November.
“I’d bet Justin was one of the most impactful players in Mahopac history,” Lakeland coach Tim Hourahan said.
We caught up with the high honor roll student as he was about to head off to the University of Connecticut in August to study biological sciences.
Why did you decide to go to UConn? UConn felt like the perfect fit for me. It has a great reputation, a strong community, and gives me the opportunity to grow both academically and personally.
What was the most challenging part of high school for you? Balancing school, activities and preparing for my future. It taught me how to manage my time and stay focused on my goals.
What’s your favorite memory of your time at Mahopac High School? Getting to spend four years with my best friends while making memories that I’ll never forget.
Although you lost in the Section 1 final, you were part of one of Mahopac’s best-ever soccer seasons. Was that satisfying? Absolutely! Of course we wanted to win it all, but knowing we helped take the program further than it had ever been before is something I’ll always be proud of. We had a special group that believed in each other from day one.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been pretty sick, are you and your crew down with the sickness? Definitely! We’ve been watching as many games as we can and talking about them nonstop.
What do you see yourself accomplishing five to 10 years from now? I hope to graduate from UConn and work as a physical therapist, ideally with a professional sports team.
Did any particular teacher make an especially big difference in your life? Mrs. Coniglio, my English teacher. She always made class enjoyable, believed in her students and encouraged me to do my best.
Who are your role models? My parents. They’ve always worked hard and encouraged me to be the best version of myself.
People are so divided these days, what trait do you possess that might bring us closer together? Being respectful and treating everyone with kindness, no matter their background or opinions.
Name a chore that you hate: Doing the dishes.
Favorite place to visit: The beach.
Hobbies outside of sports: Working out, spending time with friends and family, and watching sports.
Best slice of pizza in Mahopac: D’Bertos Pizza.
Favorite local restaurant: Char Steakhouse.
Favorite birthday meal: Probably a ribeye steak with some fries.
A day off from school/practice, what do you have lined up? Sleeping in, working out, hanging out with friends and relaxing with family.
What are you an expert at? I wouldn’t say I’m an expert, but I’d say I know the game of soccer pretty well.
What are you not nearly an expert at? Cooking.
Favorite pre-game ritual: Visualizing myself making good plays and having a positive impact on the field. I like to mentally prepare, stay confident and picture myself performing at my best.
Favorite music/band: Zach Bryan.
What’s your favorite sport to play? Favorite sport to watch? My favorite sport to play is soccer but my favorite sport to watch is definitely basketball.
Favorite professional athlete: Lionel Messi.
Favorite pro sports team: The New York Knicks.
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