Izzy Romano Junior lives for soccer

Prior to team pictures, junior Izzy Romano practices juggling the soccer ball in the courtyard. (photo by Sara Watkins)

Romano Rises to the Challenge

Soccer has always been a constant in junior Izzy Romano's life, allowing her to challenge herself mentally and physically.

By sara watkins reporter Almost every kindergarten girl she knew played. But 'playing' soccer was more of a social hour dedicated to picking flowers and naming the butterflies than anything else. The soccer balls they played with were mini, and had fluorescent shades of pink and blue. Their Romano said. “Soccer gives me that feeling of accomplishment and worth.” Not only is Romano recognized by her family and friends as a dedicated soccer player, but also her fellow teammates. Teammates look to her as one of the key elements in their defensive line, and one of the brains of the team. young pigtails bounced on their heads, and little squeals escaped their mouths “She basically holds the entire defensive end together. She is a wall back as the ball flew at them. there and doesn’t let anyone or anything past her,” sophomore Zoé Trouve said.

Their tiny shoes were never tied, and Since starting as a freshman on the varsity the shin guards were pale pink. The most exciting part of the practice was the snack “She basically holds the entire team, Romano hasn’t stopped playing. She has constantly saved a place for soccer in her after, typically the cliché orange slices, grapes or maybe even a pudding cup. defensive end together. She is life, allowing the sport to remain a dependent factor in her life.

But, for junior Izzy Romano, soccer was “Soccer is the only thing that keeps me something more. “She ran faster than all the other girls,” a wall back there and doesn’t sane,” Romano said. “Without soccer I would feel like a part of myself was missing, it is the twin sister, and former teammate, Emma Romano said. “She always wanted to win and let anyone or anything past constant in my life, I will always have it.” Romano is hoping to continue her love prove that she was the best.” As the years passed, the small St. her.” -sophomore Zoé Trouve of soccer in the future, by playing in college. Romano refers to sports as one of the only Thomas More school team that began with things in her life that has always been there, so 40 young girls and boys, dwindled to about she is not willing to stop playing now. 15 girls. Izzy was always a steady component of the team, according to Emma. “It is an exciting step in my future, I can’t wait to continue my love of this She helped keep the tempo of the young team up and competitive, and ensured sport in the years to come,” Romano said. everyone engaged that winning spirit and will. Romano still continues to play with the childlike love of soccer. Although

“I play because I just love the game, I don’t have a specific thing I am her shin guards are no longer pink and she doesn’t get snacks after practice, she trying to accomplish when I am playing other than just feeling accomplished,” still finds her escape through running across the field.