Marissa Panasiti looks up field.
Big Man On Campus: Marissa Panasiti
Back from injury to lead the co-op soccer team
September 25, 2015
Marissa Panasiti is an all-star on and off the soccer field. Averaging 1.8 goals a game for the Tyrone/Bellwood-Antis co-op soccer team, while maintaining a 4.0 GPA, she’s a force to be reckoned with.
Marissa has had three hat tricks, scored 4 goals in one game, and has netted 16 goals on the season so far. Marissa also participates in FCA, NHS, BluePrint, Chorus, and is also a member of the track team.
After tearing her ACL at the end of her sophomore year on May 11th 2014 at soccer tournament in Maryland, she knew she had a long road to recovery ahead of her. The injury took a tool on her soccer and track career but she was determined to be back for her senior season.
Marissa actually quit track after sitting out her junior season of soccer, but with her determination she rejoined the track team with only half a season left to try to make districts. Sophomore year her best time in the 400-meter run was 1:02.0. She improved her junior year in only a coupe meets with a 1:01.8. She also placed 6th at Districts.
After track season it was time for the hard work to really begin. She worked all summer and even went to a personal trainer along with physical therapy to get herself stronger. After sitting out her whole junior season and watching her team play without her, she became a dominant factor this year on her team.
In her first game back from the injury Marissa had a hat-trick in their 10-0 win against West Branch. More recently, Marissa and the team took on Bald Eagle Area got the win 6-1 with Marissa scoring another hat trick.
“I just feel really blessed to be able to play the sport I love again. I’m just trying to make every second count,” Marissa said.
I guess you can call her the Mario Lemieux of Tyrone soccer.