At first glance, sophomore Stella Balestrazzi may not seem like a force to be reckoned with on the soccer field due to her physical stature. However, looks can be deceiving as they don’t show how much of a fierce competitor she is. But the moment she steps into the game, her presence is undeniable.
“I am smart on the field, I communicate a lot with my teammates, and I always make sure I’m at the right place at the right time,” Balestrazzi said.
During the 2024-2025 season, she played a pivotal role in leading the Girls’ Varsity Soccer team to the regional semifinals, marking the team’s longest run since 2019.
This season presented many challenges, specifically a series of injuries that left the team short-handed. Regardless, the Raiders showcased resilience, particularly in a match against Our Lady of Lourdes Academy. Facing the successful team on their senior night and playing with only ten players due to injuries, the girls led for most of the game and ended up tying—a significant improvement from the previous year’s 7-0 loss.
“That game showed how much we’ve grown as a team,” Balestrazzi said. “No one expected us to even keep up with them, it was a win in our book. It just proved that we can take on anyone if we put our mind to it.”
Her versatility on the field is something worth noting. While she primarily plays center back for the school team, she has experience in all three positions.
“I like center back because it’s very black and white – you either know what to do, or you don’t,” Balestrazzi said. “It’s also a leadership role since I see the whole field and have to communicate constantly with my teammates.”
When needed, she shifts to left back, allowing her to contribute to both defense and offense.
Stella’s soccer journey began almost as soon as she could walk, influenced by her parents’ competitive soccer backgrounds—her mother played in college, and her father reached the professional level. This familial passion for the sport naturally extended to Stella and her siblings. Her brother, Marco Balestrazzi, also plays on the Boys Varsity Soccer team that made it to the state semifinal.
“Soccer has always been a thing in my family. It’s just something I grew up with,” Balestrazzi said.
Her talent was apparent early on. Even before high school, she had a glimpse of the varsity experience, making the playoff roster in sixth grade. By freshman year, she was a key contributor to the team despite being an underclassman.
Balancing academics and athletics isn’t easy, but Stella has made it a priority to make sure she communicates effectively with her teachers, especially when having multiple absences due to games.
“It’s tough missing class, but staying in touch with teachers and keeping up with assignments is crucial and makes all the difference,” Balestrazzi said.
Stella’s contributions are apparent in her statistics. During her varsity career, she has played 36 games, scored 14 goals, and provided 10 assists. This season alone she has played in 16 games, logged 810 minutes, scored three goals, and provided five assists , according to MaxPreps.
Her self-driven nature, combined with the support and knowledge from her parents, has been instrumental in her development as a student-athlete.
As she looks ahead, Stella remains focused on improving and continuing to push her team forward.
“We’ve come so far already, and I know we have even more to prove,” Balestrazzi said.
Passion, resilience, and hard work is what it takes to achieve success both on and off the field—and Stella exemplifies that in every way.
