Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Norwin’s Carmella Simco

By: Anthony DiFilippo
Monday, November 25, 2024 | 11:04 AM

ACL injuries often derail athletes’ careers.

Norwin senior midfielder Carmella Simco, however, put in the work and bounced right back after missing the second half of her sophomore and first half of her junior year.

“I was in physical therapy every week, and when I wasn’t there, I was at the gym working out,” Simco said. “My family really helped me through it, and it got easier as time went on and I could walk, and then run and then pass. I really feel like a new player, and I am super smart with the battles I pick on the field.”

Norwin went 8-2 in Section 1-4A this year, which was good enough to earn the fifth seed in the WPIAL tournament.

The playoff appearance snapped a two-year drought.

“I think the progress we made from the past few years of my high school career was incredible,” Simco said. “I am so happy to be a part of the new standard that was set for Norwin.”

Simco gave a lot of credit to first-year coach Ashley DeVito.

“She wanted to win,” Simco said of DeVito’s mindset. “She wanted to build the team up after we were torn down in the past and go out and do what she knew we were capable of. By tough, I mean she’s strong, and no one can change her mind on how much she believed in us.”

The Knights fell 1-0 on penalty kicks in the first round to Mt. Lebanon, which, despite being the No. 12 seed, was a tough opponent.

“We held up the entire game, and we had a ton of opportunities that we just couldn’t finish on,” Simco said of the playoff loss. “We left everything we had on that field because we knew that we could win.”

In her first full season since freshman year, Simco was named to the All-WPIAL team.

Four Knights, including Simco, were named to the all-section squad.

“Being with such a high level of competition and girls who really want to work and get better is so great to have on the field,” Simco said. “There was never a doubt in my mind that those girls would stop working hard in games.”

Simco is planning on playing collegiate soccer somewhere, and she wants to major in business wherever she ends up.

This week, Simco took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:

What kind of an honor was it to get recognized as an All-WPIAL player?

It was such an incredible feeling getting that phone call from coach Ashley (DeVito). I felt so accomplished because of everything that has happened in my past with my injury. It was everything I wanted for my senior year. It was such an honor to share with my friend Julia (Bursick), and after I screamed down the stairs to find my parents and tell them, I called her and we just shared a little moment. It was something that I was really working for this season, and it was such an honor to receive.

What was your role on the team this year?

My role was to infiltrate balls through to my players up top and to take opportunities when they are given to me. My movement on and off the ball was to find open pockets and to create space for my other teammates. I love making runs up the field, but I also enjoy tracking and helping my defense when they need it. Overall, I love being on every part of the field and I like having the freedom of going anywhere and everywhere. I feel the most comfortable in the middle with all the crowded space and being a part of those plays up top to get us an opportunity.

As a senior, what did your leadership role look like this year?

I tried to be as personable as possible, and I loved all the younger girls on the team as if they were my little sisters. When things got hard for some of the girls, I felt like I was always there to listen, but I really wanted to push them to become better players and for some to be ready for the varsity level. I like to think that they looked up to me as a player and person, and I hope I had some influence on their lives for the better.

What was your favorite moment from your high school career?

My favorite moment would be the second game against Penn-Trafford at their turf. We went into that game electric, and it was a feeling every single person on the team had. We played that game hard, and we deserved that four-goal win. That feeling is something I am going to miss with those girls. Especially when we huddled together in the middle of their field just screaming and yelling with so much happiness.

How did you get started with soccer?

I actually did a lot of dance and gymnastics when I was really young. And there came a day when I was 5 and trying new things and soccer became that new thing. At the time, I was doing both soccer and gymnastics and my dad was driving me to gymnastics and I remember he said, “You have to pick between soccer and dance,” and I really loved dance. I just remember blurting out “soccer” without even thinking. Best decision I ever made.

What is one thing that people may not know about you?

People may not know that when I am older I don’t plan on stopping my soccer career. I want to coach and always be a part of a team and its atmosphere. I think it’s always going to be a part of who I am. This sport is my life. I don’t think I will ever be ready to just let it go, so in that case, I don’t plan on it.

Tags: Norwin