Since she was four years old, senior Leah Casolaro harbored a love for soccer; her parents noticed how much she enjoyed watching the sport at such a young age, and she has been playing ever since. She has contributed greatly to the Lynbrook soccer program; Casolaro was called up to varsity as a center midfielder in only eighth grade, and she now enters her fifth year on the team. Having a prominent role on a team for so long while playing at a high level takes great mental and physical strength. Senior Isabella Medrano agreed and said, “Leah is a key player to the team and an amazing teammate. She’s always dominating the field with her footwork and shots on goal. As a teammate, she gives great advice and assists.”
When she was asked how Leah has grown since first joining the team in eighth grade, girls’ varsity soccer Head Coach Jenna Crimmins said this, “Leah has shown incredible growth both as a player and a teammate. Her technical abilities— especially her precise passing and strong dribbling— have been evident from day one. Over the past five years, she’s developed into a well-rounded and dynamic player, becoming a true scoring threat with fourteen goals and four assists this season alone.” Adding, “What really sets Leah apart now is her physicality and presence on the field— she’s tough to dispossess and consistently battles for every ball. As a teammate, Leah leads by example. She’s always looking to set others up for success and brings a relentless work ethic and competitive mindset that lifts the entire team. It’s been a privilege to coach her and watch her evolve into the player and leader she is today.”
When asked about Casolaro’s impact on the game, girls’ varsity soccer Assistant Coach Christopher Balas explained, “Casolaro is the X-factor of our team. She is by far the biggest threat and is dangerous anywhere she is. She is a physical player, often taking on runs that would flatten other players. She often has to overcome being man-marked or even double and triple teamed yet still manages to score and be an effective force.” Casolaro is not just a goalscorer and playmaker; she does hard work without outwardly drawing attention to herself. Balas elaborated, “She spreads the field for us. Defenders cannot leave her alone, and this opens up a lot of space for our other players. She is quietly the driving force behind our offense, and she is not easily replaced.”
Additionally, Casolaro shared some words of wisdom for aspiring players: “Keep practicing and work hard even if the results don’t come right away.” With her soccer idol being Cristiano Ronaldo, it is clear what she values. Ronaldo, who is known for his work ethic off the field and his confident play while on, seems to perfectly reflect Casolaro’s playstyle. Moreover, Casolaro shared how much she looks up to Ronaldo: “…I had posters of him all over my room and loved watching him play on Real Madrid and Juventus.”
For Casolaro, soccer is not all about the nitty-gritty aspect. What she loves most about the sport is “the competitive environment” and the friends she has made over the years. Casolaro also loves the feeling that she gets from contributing to a win and the joy that accompanies it.
Casolaro shared that she will study nursing and continue her soccer career next year playing NCAA Division II soccer at the University of South Carolina Aiken.
