After a summer filled with hiking, friends, Netflix and a vacation in Destin, Florida, sophomore Izzy Giarrizzi is ready to return to the soccer fields.
As the new starting goalkeeper for the Winthrop women’s soccer team, Giarrizzi has an important position to fill, with teammates Ashlynn Harris and Cammie Kaminski having graduated in the spring of 2021.
“To be the Eagles’ only returning goalkeeper, it is a great responsibility to fill, and I am looking forward to being able to take over that role,” Giarrizzi said.
Competing in two games during the 2020 season, Giarrizzi earned three saves on her record, two of which were gained during her first collegiate game against Longwood on March 28.
Giarrizzi’s hometown of Tega Cay is where she has been playing soccer “ever since [she] could walk and be able to join a team.”
Before coming to Winthrop, the active athlete lettered on the varsity girl’s basketball team for all four years at Fort Mill High School while also lettering three years on the high school’s soccer team.
“I think the most important quality an athlete should have is work ethic. You can be a great player naturally, but it won’t matter at the higher levels of the game if you don’t have the grit and work ethic to make yourself and your team get better together,” Giarrizzi said.
After the cancellation of the fall season, the Eagles participated in a short 2020 spring season, finishing 2-6-1 overall.
“The team I am most looking forward to playing is Gardner–Webb University because last year it was a very close and exciting match, so I hope this year it will be the same,” Giarrizzi said, referencing the nail-biting game in which the Eagles and the Runnin’ Bulldogs tied 0-0 after double overtime on March 21.
This season, Giarrizzi is hoping for multiple shutout games. But the exercise science major also has goals for off the field.
“What I am most looking forward to this school year is being able to have more in-person classes and a somewhat more normal school environment than last year. An academic goal I have for this semester is to pass all of my classes with A’s or B’s,” Giarrizzi said.
When looking for inspiration, Giarrizzi often reflects on a quote from Timothy D. Brady: “Hustle until you no longer have to introduce yourself.”
“I like this quote a lot because it gives you the inspiration to work as hard as you can until you can be so great at what you are doing to the point where everyone will know who you are,” Giarrizzi said.
Last Friday, Giarrizzi recorded four saves and allowed just two goals in Winthrop’s 3-2 win against Alabama State to start the regular season.
Fans are welcome to support Giarrizzi and the Eagles as they take on Appalachian State at home on Wednesday at 7 p.m. After a few weeks of non-conference matches, the Big South Conference games will begin on Sept. 18 with a home game against Longwood.
