In soccer, when the going gets tough, Anjelica Mazzella just
gets tougher.
The Lockerby soccer standout recently joined the Laurentian
University women's soccer program as a rookie recruit.
Mazzella plans to inject a big dose of additional heart and
soul into the squad.
"When I play, I play with all my heart," said the 18 year
old. "I have a hard work ethic and a strong personality. I also
have a lot of determination and I am mentally tough. I am
ecstatic and pumped to play."
Even though she was born in the United States (Bronxville, NY), and had several offers from NCAA schools to go back to her place of birth and play, her Nickel City roots were too deep to be pulled out.
"I have lived here my whole life, since I was one-and-a-half,"
said Mazzella. "I love it here and staying in Sudbury with my
family was the best decisions for me. My aunts and uncles, who
live in the United States, wanted me to go... it would be an
honour, but I just wasn't interested. I picked Laurentian
because I know most of the girls already and know their
style."
Staying in the nest makes complete sense to Mazzella.
"Being at home, not worrying about other things in a
different city, will help keep me focused on school and get
good marks," said the former Sudburnia player. "It's more like
another family at Laurentian since I know most of the girls and
the coaches. It all adds up."
Mazzella will take kinesiology with the hopes it will land
her at the University of Toronto or University of Western
Ontario in the future, where she will study to become a
dentist.
"Dentistry is something I've always been interested in...I
like picking at things," said the Lockerby student. "Even when
I was a kid and I had to have my teeth pulled, I liked it. I
found it fun."
With the OUA schedule expanding from 10 to 16 games, fresh
troops who can make an impact will be relied upon heavily in
2006.
"Anjelica will be coming in on the left outside midfield,"
said head coach Rob Gallo. "She has excellent ball skills and
good field vision. What we like about Anjelica is her
dedication to be prepared physically, mentally and technically.
The OUA is demanding...and a 16-game schedule will be tough on
first-year players. We have a veteran squad and it should help
make it easier on her development. We don't have to put her in
the fire right away. However, when called upon, I know she will
respond with a full effort."
When the game is on the line and the opposing team has its
finest players looking to score, Mazzella wants to be out there
against them, hunting them down and beating them.
"I love it when I have a good player against me," said the
two-time OFSAA soccer gold medallist. "Going against hard
playing athletes who love to dig and fight is something I
love."
Mazzella wants to earn a starting position in her first year.
"I will be able to hold my own on the field - that's where
my determination kicks in," said the midfield. "I am going to
train my butt off this summer to try and be a starter and maybe
make the OUA rookie team. It's going to be hard."
Mazzella will play for the Panhellenic Under-21 team this summer in the Ontario Youth Soccer League.
