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Students walking through the Neumann-Goretti hallways are counting down the days left in the school year, eagerly awaiting those sacred three months of no tests or homework.
But for freshman Nica Meccariello, summer means packing her bags for a three-week excursion to Greece and Italy, where she’ll play soccer with the Philadelphia Flames soccer club, based in Northeast Philly.
"I am definitely excited because this is going to be my first time [playing soccer] outside of Philadelphia," said the 15-year-old athlete from 10th and Winton streets. "I never thought anything like this would come along the way."
Last summer, Meccariello read articles on the elite, under-17 girls’ soccer team that traveled through Europe and won the championship in a prestigious tournament. After a strong rookie year, leading the Neumann-Goretti offense with 11 points, Meccariello spoke to coach Jim McBride about playing for the Flames.
McBride made the arrangements with Flames coach Markos Pittaoulis, who is also the head soccer coach at Little Flower High School.
McBride noted he is "ecstatic" for the forward-midfielder.
"I think it’s going to help her out and help us out in the long run," he said.
The tournament will include teams from Europe, South America and other parts of the world. Pittaoulis, who was born in Greece, said he takes the team to Europe so they can gain more experience. Many of the girls are members of the Little Flower soccer team, who are regular contenders for the Catholic League title.
"Nica can become a good player," Pittaoulis said. "If she has got the heart and wants to learn, she is going to be good."
The team practices two nights a week and Saturdays in the Northeast.
Meccariello is seeking sponsors to help cover costs of the trip, as it is about $5,000 for each player.
FOR AN ATHLETE who has never played soccer outside of Philadelphia, the chance to play in Europe, where the sport is the equivalent of American football, is a golden opportunity – too good to pass up.
"I hope to get better and help make my [Neumann-Goretti] teammates better," Meccariello, who is an honor student, said.
The soccer player has already made a huge impact as a freshman, helping the Saints finish the season with a 5-13 record, a dramatic turn around from the 1-10-1 record they compiled in 2004. Meccariello led the team with six goals and five assists, and won the Saints MVP award at the May 9 Millay Club banquet.
Earning individual recognition on the soccer field is nothing new for this athlete, being a four-time Catholic Youth Organization all-star and three-time all-city indoor soccer all-star in the SEYAA and the Philadelphia Department of Recreation league.
She also participated in the Saints basketball program, leading the freshman team in scoring, and served as the starting point guard on junior varsity. Meccariello was added to the varsity roster for the playoffs, and watched the Saints advance to the Catholic League championship game, where they lost to Cardinal O’Hara.
But soccer is the sport where Meccariello foresees the brightest future.
"I definitely want to play in college," she said. "It’s going to be tough to go Division I, but it’s what I am aiming for."
It’s a little too early to start worrying about that. For now, she’s focusing on preparing for three weeks in Europe, staying in shape by running regularly with friend and Neumann-Goretti junior teammate Nicole Marrotta, who is a sweeper back.
McBride said he knows Meccariello has the talent to continue to the next level.
"I think [playing in Europe] is only going to build her confidence up, and she is going to play well beyond this team and Neumann-Goretti," McBride said.
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Anyone interested in helping sponsor Nica Meccariello’s trip to Europe should contact 215-339-1754.
Playoff updates
The Public League boys’ volleyball playoffs get under way May 19, with quarterfinal games taking place for the higher seeded teams.
For the first time in program history, the Furness Falcons will host a first-round game. The team entered the tournament as the third or fourth seed, pending the results of its May 17 game against Central, which started after press time. The winner of that match-up will finish third in the standings.
The High School for Creative and Performing Arts, which finished second in the regular-season standings, will host a first-round game at Palumbo Recreation Center, 10th and Fitzwater streets.
The winners from the four quarterfinal games will advance to Tuesday’s semifinal round at Southern and Lincoln. The schedule will be finalized following the opening round.
