After a year spent shaking off the rust, Mia Mastroianni is back as a key member of the Ewing High School girls soccer team.
While her twin sister, Eva, has been a top contributor for the Blue Devils since their freshman year, Mia stepped away from soccer in middle school. The Ewing senior did not play her first two years of high school, but the team convinced her to return to the pitch last year.
“I originally came back because all those seniors that were leaving, it would be their last season so to play one with them one more time,” Mastroianni said. “And I grew up with them as childhood friends. So they got me really into it and I fell in love with it again. And it’s just been really fun getting to run around and use skills that I can’t do on a daily basis.”
Mastroianni was voted a captain this year, and she’s taken on a more prominent role. She’s also moved from a wing spot on the field into the center midfield, something Ewing was optimistic she had the tools to handle.
“Definitely the versatility in everything was a part,” said Ewing coach Angelina Gummel. “She wasn’t as confident last year, but I can definitely see that she’s worked hard and she’s built that confidence, and that’s especially good to be able to use in that midfield position.”
Mastroianni is getting used to her new spot. It’s a bit out of her comfort zone, but she knew she’d have to step up in her senior season.
“I definitely like the amount of opportunities and amount of ball control I am allowed to get,” she said. “But it’s also definitely pressure trying to get it up the field and get good passes to my teammates.”
Mastroianni will take her chances to score when she can, but she’s mainly trying to facilitate for others. She has come back understanding better what demands the high school season carries. Last year was a big learning experience as she returned to playing. Her skills came back quicker than she expected, but there were other adjustments.
“The biggest adjustment was the amount of running,” Mastroianni said. “I had shin splints all that season and it was just really painful and something I had to get through.”
Mastroianni has started out healthier this fall. That’s enabled her to focus on being the best player and leader possible for the Blue Devils. She’s able to identify with other new players because she was just in their shoes last year, and yet she’s a senior with some lofty expectations.
“Last year I was really just trying to keep up and do my best and be there,” she said. “And this year I feel like I’m trying to push everybody in the right direction more. I’m trying to get them more set and locked in and loving it. And hopefully I can get a goal.”
The goal scoring has been more of her sister’s thing. Eva already had three goals through the first three games. She has scored 15 goals and 11 assists in her career. Mia was still looking for her first high school goal three games into her senior year.
After falling in their first two games, Ewing picked up a 4-0 win over Trenton, with Eva Mastroianni and Tai Adams each scoring two goals apiece.
“It was definitely a great morale booster,” Gummel said. “I think we definitely needed it to help the girls build that confidence, especially with losing so many seniors last year. So I’m really hoping that that’ll turn things around and show them what they can do.”
It’s a young group overall with just four seniors on the roster this year, with Genesis Rosales and Brooklyn Ellis joining the Mastroianni twins. The Blue Devils have been forced to lean on their younger players. There is a steep learning curve, but Ewing has shown progress.
“I’m very happy,” said Mia Mastroianni. “I think we have at least 10 freshmen who are new to this team, and it’s really exciting for them to start getting engaged and doing what we do in practice and in the game.”
Mastroianni has made it her focus to keep them positive through their development and keep pushing them to improve. Gummel appreciates the attitude of the young team. They are willing to learn and asking about how to improve.
“We’re definitely working on developing our voices, communicating, talking with each other,” Gummel said. “Also, just understanding where to be on the field, just because there’s so many newbies. My veteran players are trying to vocalize and help them and teach them what to do and be where they should be.”
Mastroianni is a good example to them of how much they can improve in a short time. She’s come back more confident and capable.
“She is a great vocal voice on the field,” Gummel said. “She’s able to help dictate the field in a sense of knowing where to pass the ball, telling the girls movement-wise where to be. She’s great on the outside also crossing in and stuff. So she’s a really great versatile player.”
Playing last year definitely was a boost to her. It helped put her in a good position to come back stronger this year.
“I definitely see a new light in her,” Gummel said. “She was named one of the captains, so it definitely sparked a joy inside of her. It lit that fire. She understands that the younger girls look up to her, so she’s really trying to take command and be there for the girls.”
Mastroianni wasn’t just sitting around her first two years of high school. She found other ways to get involved in the school.
“I was really into volunteering and even the musical, I was stage manager for a bit,” she said. “I volunteered mainly for Key Club. We go around to the elementary schools and we help out with little events and get other people involved in the community.”
In school, Mastroianni has always been interested in the sciences, particularly biology. She’s recently gotten more interested in sociology. She is looking to pursue something in the sciences in college next year.
She still has plenty of the school year left at Ewing, and she’s trying to make the most of every experience she can. She intends to stay connected to the musical and share in the fun of events like Powder Puff football, pep rallies and EHS football games. And she’s enjoying her last year of soccer, a sport that she is thrilled to have returned to last year.
“I’m so happy,” Mastroianni said. “I wouldn’t have been anywhere else. They keep me pushing myself too, so it’s great.”
