Goal getter: GlenOak’s Nico Codispoti keeps his eyes on the prize
NORTH CANTON, Ohio — Glenoak junior Nico Codispoti has been chasing goals (and stopping them) since he was three years old. Now, with 13 years of soccer under his belt, he’s guarding the net for GlenOak’s Varsity team as its star goalkeeper. For Nico, the dream extends beyond the field—he’s aiming to play college soccer at the highest level, and he’s already well on his way.
Balancing life on and off the field can be a tough save, and Nico’s biggest challenge is separating soccer from his personal life. “It’s a mental game,” he explains. “I have to make sure soccer doesn’t affect my life too much, and my life doesn’t affect soccer.” With that clear goal in mind, Nico tackles every game with focus and intensity.
One of the best pieces of advice Nico ever received was from a coach when he was just nine years old. “My coach told me that one day I’d be the Varsity Goalkeeper for GlenOak. I was a kid, but that really hit me hard—and I got even more serious about the sport,” Nico recalls. Now, each save is a nod to that coach’s belief in him, with Nico putting his best foot forward every time he takes the field.
In the high-stakes world of soccer, there’s nothing Nico loves more than making a big save. The thrill of stopping the ball from going into the net keeps him hooked, and he’s perfected his pregame routine to get in the zone. “I always go thrifting and grab a regular protein packer with almond milk from Pulp,” he shares with a laugh. It’s an unusual combo, but it’s one that works!
Nico has learned a thing or two about teamwork over the years, especially about effective communication on and off the field. “Being on a team has taught me that people respond better to different kinds of communication,” he explains. “You have to adjust to what works best for each player.” This adaptability has made him a supportive teammate and a reliable last line of defense for Glenoak.
Of course, even the best goalkeepers have their slip-ups. Last season, a tough match against Hoover led to a mistake that Nico had a hard time forgetting. But instead of letting it get him down, Nico used it as motivation. “I obsessed over the next time we’d play them,” he says. “When that time finally came, I had one of the best games of my life.” That comeback is classic Nico: he’s a player who doesn’t just learn from his mistakes—he uses them to fuel his game.
Outside of soccer, Nico loves hanging out with friends, along with some off-season matchups in pickleball and volleyball. These lighter games keep him sharp without the high-pressure stakes, adding a little fun to his busy life as a student-athlete.
As for his advice to other young athletes? “Work hard not only for yourself but for those around you.” Nico’s passion, grit, and unwavering dedication to his teammates make him a standout—both as a goalkeeper and a leader. With the college soccer pitch in his sights, Nico Codispoti is well on his way to becoming GlenOak’s very own goalkeeping legend.
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