In our local CHSAA girls’ soccer league, it’s extremely rare for a freshman student-athlete to be pulled up to the varsity team. 

What’s even more unique is a freshman leading her team to a city championship title. 

Both happened for this year’s St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, girls’ varsity soccer team. Freshman left forward Carolina Purificato burst onto the scene to not only play for the varsity squad but also guide the team to its first CHSAA Tier 1 New York City championship in program history. 

Carolina, a native of Williston Park, Long Island, began playing soccer at the age of 2. Her skills quickly developed to the point where she plays youth soccer on the East Meadow, Long Island, team of the Elite Club National League. The vast majority of players in this league go on to earn college scholarships in women’s soccer. 

The Prep’s head girls’ varsity coach, Nick Lombardo, knew he was getting a budding star, since Carolina is the daughter of his best friend. He couldn’t have imagined, though, the instant success she would achieve this season in the competitive CHSAA soccer league. 

“The speed at which she plays is unrivaled,” said Lombardo, who just finished his seventh season coaching the Terriers. “She’s one of the few who does every little thing the right way.” 

In recent years, Lombardo had only pulled freshmen up to the varsity team when the Terriers needed additional depth at the goalie position. Carolina more than held her own in her first season, tallying 25 goals and 24 assists in 26 games. A 20-20 player in any grade is super rare, let alone a freshman. 

Carolina initially took some time to adjust to the CHSAA and the transition from public elementary school to the largest Catholic high school in the nation. She relied on the guidance of the team’s seniors to help her develop the confidence needed to thrive at this level. 

“I just started thinking that I’m on this team for a reason,” Carolina said. “They wouldn’t put me on this team if they didn’t think I could handle it.” 

Heading into the season, the Terriers had captured back-to-back Brooklyn – Queens championships. Still, they were unable to secure a victory in the city title game, losing both times to St. Joseph by-the-Sea H.S., Staten Island. So while the sights were set on that coveted city championship, the Prep squad took things a game at a time. 

The Terriers turned in an impressive 10-1-2 regular season record. The loss and one of the ties came against Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge. Sure enough, after defeating Msgr. McClancy H.S., East Elmhurst, in the diocesan semifinals, St. Francis Prep drew Xaverian for the diocesan final. 

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The game was scoreless heading into overtime. That’s when the freshman phenom found the back of the net for a “golden goal,” a tie-breaker in which the first team to score in overtime wins the game immediately. 

Next up was the city final game, and once again, mighty St. Joe’s was waiting. 

A few days before the title game, Carolina came down with the flu. She missed school the day before the game, but slogged through on game day because CHSAA rules state that a student-athlete must be present in school to play in that day’s athletic competitions. 

“There was no way I was going to miss the city final just because I was sick,” said Carolina, who took the field with a 102-degree fever. 

St. Joe’s scored an early goal, but less than a minute later, Prep junior center back and team captain Brianna Diminich scored the equalizer on a header off a corner kick. The game remained tied heading into overtime. 

Once again, a golden goal sealed the win for the Terriers when senior center forward Victoria Mitchell scored the game-winner, with Carolina picking up the key assist. 

The moment can be likened to the famous “Flu Game” of Michael Jordan, in which Jordan, playing with a 104-degree fever, scored 38 points in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, leading his Chicago Bulls to victory over the Utah Jazz. 

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The Terriers went on to lose in the state semifinals to St. Anthony’s H.S., South Huntington, Long Island, but history had already been made. 

“This is a special group,” Lombardo said. “They really enjoy each other, which added a lot to the team. My captains — Brianna, senior center midfielder Isabella Pepe, and senior center midfielder Chloe Breen — hold everybody to a high standard, and they hit that standard every single day at practice and every single game.” 

With Carolina still having three seasons left, the future is bright for the Prep’s varsity girls’ squad. The freshman standout laid the groundwork for what portends to be an epic career. 

“I’m still figuring it out,” she said. “The next few years, I’ll be able to build upon what we … did.” 

How does a 20-20 player improve — 30-30? Moreover, Carolina will improve by becoming even more of a leader as the next crop of Prep underclassmen contributes to another potential run at a city championship title.