Gianluca Dimauro '22 Recruiting Profile

Ever since I was a little kid my life has revolved around my love for the game of soccer. I received my first soccer ball at 6 months old when my father brought back a mini ball from Italy signed by the greats of AC Milan. From then on, I have never looked back. For as long as I can remember I have been waking up early on weekends to travel all over Northern California and beyond for my club games and tournaments. When I haven’t had a match scheduled, I still rise early to watch my favorite teams on TV from all around the world or head out to referee a local game. Over the years with different teams, coaches, and even teachers I have been recognized as a natural leader who contributes and brings the group together. Whether it's encouraging a teammate who is down, helping to organize the group, or being selected as the captain of the team. One of, if not my favorite aspects of the sport is the friendship and the comradery we have while working hard towards a common goal when we are on the pitch together.

An important factor in my game as a strong soccer player is my ability to play multiple positions. For the longest time, I have played center forward or winger; however, in recent years my coaches have positioned me at center back, as I have a good vision and understanding of the game. At first, the idea seemed a bit foreign but I went into the new position with an open mind and a good attitude. After just a few months, I learned to play the position well and even preferred it to forward. Now, my coaches use me in both positions on the field, depending on where I am needed the most. One of the main reasons I enjoy playing center back is that from the back of the field I can get a good view of the play ahead and can help guide my teammates and orchestrate the play all while preventing the other team from scoring. When I am playing up top as striker, I am now familiar with how defenders think and play, so I am able to adjust my game to work around that. I can anticipate my teammates’ movements that I am so familiar with that I have gained from my defender vantage point. This helps to distribute the ball at that ideal moment to get the ball in the back of the net either personally or via the wingers.

Through soccer, I have learned many valuable life skills such as working as a team, taking direction and instructions from many different coaches, how to have a strong work ethic, and digging deep to overcome a difficult situation. I have also channeled a very competitive mentality which leads me to always want to do the best I possibly can. I not only find these abilities helpful in soccer but also in other aspects of life, especially in school as I pursue an AP – Advanced Placement and Honors course work path. Soccer has helped me to better my learning abilities in the classroom and beyond. I apply my work ethic, determination, team mentality and time management skills to help me achieve my academic goals towards my collegiate pathway. In school, I have always been committed to achieving top grades as my education is very important to me. I plan to attend a college that academically suits me while being able to do what I love, play soccer.I am considering architecture as my area of study I have an aptitude for math and love the idea of the precision of designing and building something that also entails elements of creativity - not so different from the way I approach my soccer game.