For some athletes, the discovery of where their passion lies comes at a very young age. The same could be said for soccer standout Roisin Allaeddini.
The Rosary High School junior began kicking the ball around at age 2, without much understanding of the game. But by age 4, Allaeddini had determined that soccer was the sport for her and has been playing, and excelling, ever since.
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“There was something about the competitiveness, even at that young of an age, that drew me to [soccer],” says Allaeddini. “I’ve always loved the game and I’ve always had a strong passion for it. I don’t think that’s something that will ever go away.”
The midfielder has had a wealth of experience, playing on club teams for several years and even receiving an invitation to participate in a U.S. Women’s National Team Training Camp as a 14-year-old, an experience representing her country that she says she will never forget.
But her playing time with her Royals teammates holds a special place for Allaeddini, providing a different feel than she’s been able to find on a club team.
“The thing I enjoy the most about competing for Rosary has to be the family atmosphere on the team we have right now,” says Allaeddini. “Even if we don’t get the result that we wanted, we had fun going out there and playing with each other.”
With goals for this season that include finishing first in their league and a CIF appearance, Allaeddini feels this year’s players and chemistry are the ingredients needed for a successful playoff run. Rosary’s varsity soccer head coach, Sean Melendez, feels that Allaeddini and her leadership are key as well.
“The thing that makes Roisin great is her ability to read the game. She reads the game about 10 steps ahead of everyone else,” says Melendez of his team’s captain. “Roisin truly embodies what we try to teach at Rosary: team first, sportsmanship and hard work. She leads by example, but also expects her teammates to give everything they’ve got. Players like Roisin don’t come around often.”
While she may only be in her junior year, the 16-year-old Allaeddini has already committed to play soccer at the collegiate level for UC Davis, a process she says was long and challenging, but beneficial.
The Orange resident began her search on the east coast, but ended up feeling most at home in Northern California, connecting with both the campus and the coach of the Aggies’ women’s soccer program.
“There was just something about UC Davis,” says Allaeddini. “I loved the campus. I felt completely comfortable there.”
Relieved to have the decision behind her and the support of her family, Allaeddini is excited for the Royals’ season and her future steps in the sport she loves.
“I couldn’t be happier,” she says.