Luciana Latino kicks off collegiate career at Penn State
NORWOOD, N.J. — After a few years of waiting, Luciana Latino has finally begun her career as part of the Penn State women’s soccer team.
The rookie midfielder, who arrived in Happy Valley two weeks ago as an early enrollee, committed to play at the next level as a high school freshman.
“I’ve always looked toward the next thing,” Latino said. “I always try to accomplish something new as soon as possible. If I have a goal, I do everything I can to reach that.”
It’s the latest chapter in the Norwood, New Jersey native’s soccer journey, which began when she was three years old. Her mother, Jen, played at Villanova and introduced her to the sport.
“She had me outside with the cones ever since I was younger,” Latino said. “I kind of just fell in love with it. It’s my thing. It’s kind of just part of my life now.”
Latino’s college recruitment began fairly early. She remembers attending a skills camp at her mother’s alma mater as a seventh grader.
“At that time, it was the only school I actually knew,” Latino said. “It was with the old coach at the time and I went to a clinic and he was like, ‘You need to come here.’”
Playing up with high school freshmen a year later, she started getting looks from bigger schools, namely Virginia, Notre Dame and Louisville.
“I used to think I could only play at a smaller school,” Latino said. “I never really saw myself at a big school. It happened really fast, honestly.”
Latino attended Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan, but chose not to play scholastically. Instead, she spent time with New York City FC’s academy crew and then the Players Development Academy (PDA) of the Elite Clubs National League.
“I could’ve played high school, but it was kind of like one of those things where it wasn’t as competitive as I wanted it to be,” Latino said. “Whenever I’m playing, I want to get better.”
She enjoyed her experience with a PDA club that was well-acquainted with winning.
“I just got 10 times better in a year and a half,” Latino said. “If I didn’t go, I probably wouldn’t be where I am, at the level that I’m at.”
She opted to attend college four hours away from her hometown. The Nittany Lions’ team culture and success, coaches and academics pulled Latino in. A big football fan, she said PSU’s Saturday atmospheres helped as well.
“You can have a really good soccer program, but at the same time, if the team dynamic isn’t good, it’s just not fun,” Latino said. “I’m here to do a job, but I want to have a really good college experience.”
With getting to campus early, she strives to see playing time for a squad that reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament last fall.
“I don’t want to say that I want to start and have unrealistic expectations, because this team is so good,” Latino said. “I want to play and, if I’m successful, my reach would be Big Ten Freshman of the Year.”
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