Sofia LaSpina, a junior at Wellington C. Mepham High School in the Bellmore-Merrick Central School District and wide receiver on the football team, made history Sept. 18 as the first female to score a touchdown in Long Island high school history.
The Pirates went on to defeat Roslyn 49-21, advancing them to 2-0 for the season.
“When the ball was in the air, I just wanted to catch it and that was the only thing I had in my mind,” LaSpina explained about the game play.
LaSpina said she has received an outpouring of support and congratulatory messages from friends and family, as well as regional and national media attention.
“As soon as I caught it, my teammates were already congratulating me in the end zone and from the sideline,” she added.
“When she caught the touchdown, the sideline erupted and celebrated like we had won a championship,” added head coach Anthony Cracco.
During the post-game huddle, Cracco gave LaSpina the game ball right on the spot – a first for the coach of 13 years.
“We couldn’t be prouder of Sofia,” Cracco said. “She has worked exceptionally hard to achieve success on the field. At the time, none of us realized the historical achievement that we had just witnessed, the celebration was for an outstanding teammate that earned the respect and admiration of her peers and coaches.”
LaSpina said she fell in love with the sport while playing it with siblings in her backyard.
“I would always watch the Jets and want to play so I waited for middle school to try football out and I ended up loving it,” she explained.
It’s very fitting that LaSpina was also named the New York Jets Player of the Week after this accomplishment. She will be honored at an upcoming game.
Photo courtesy of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District
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