SOCCER Anita Mancini Canfield girls
Canfield soccer player Anita Mancini scored 34 goals as a junior. One of her goals for her senior season was to top that mark.
She accomplished her mission, but the goal came with time running down on her impressive varsity career. In the Division I district semifinal game, Canfield trailed North Canton Hoover 2-0 late.
“There were two minutes left in my senior year when I scored my last goal,” said Mancini, The Vindicator girls soccer player of the year.
Mancini became a varsity starter as a sophomore, but her first goal came a season earlier.
“We were playing Howland and it was 1-1,” Mancini said. “There were 17 minutes left in the second half” when she scored using her left foot — not her dominant limb. “We won the AAC title so that was one I will never forget.”
Mancini said the Cardinals’ rivalry with Howland is one of their best. Another top opponent is Austintown Fitch.
“They bring it every time,” Mancini said.
Mancini’s soccer career began very early — at age 3.
“I played with my sister’s team,” said Mancini of Sophia who is two years older. Her memories of those day are in “bits and pieces. I did cartwheels one time and I have a video of that ... that’s where it all started.”
In junior high, Mancini played basketball and ran track. Her travel soccer responsibilities soon took over as she played for a club team in Cleveland. Her team played in national tournaments in such locales as Las Vegas, Walt Disney World in Orlando and Raleigh, N.C.
Her soccer career isn’t over. She’s verbally committed to play for the University of Toledo and plans to study nursing.
“Helping people feel better” is one of the reasons why nursing appeals to her. “I like to interact with people.”
She’s enjoyed playing for Phil Simone, head coach for Canfield’s boys and girls varsity teams.
“It’s pretty cool because we get to practice with the boys sometimes and we get to bond over soccer with them.”