Lauren Perrotta

Lauren Perrotta has played many roles during her high school career – from Rusty in Footloose to Eponine in Les Miserables and this year she will be Rosalia in the high school production of West Side Story. While none of the parts were the lead roles, Eponine is one of the most unforgettable characters in Les Miserables and trivia buffs may remember that Rusty helped launch the career of a young Sarah Jessica Parker.

But Perrotta’s best part may a non-fictional one as team leader of the Scotch Plains Fanwood Girls soccer team which had a smash run in Union County this year, finishing with a stellar 17-3-2 record and making it to the sectional finals. In the second round of the state tournament, Perrotta exhibited her usually suffocating marking to hold
high scoring West Morris-Mendham star Jessica Bitsack without a shot in a game the Raiders would win in a penalty kick shootout after 100 scoreless minutes.

Perrotta, a first team All Union County selection as a defender last year, picked up where she left off, playing an uncompromising style of aggressive defense and shutting down whatever opposing forward has the misfortune to play against her. In addition to her defensive skills, Perrotta is a virtual coach on the field, helping teammates mark the correct player and constantly yelling encouragement.

“I've always been a very vocal person on and off the field. Sometimes I may be too vociferous, but for the most part the team keeps one another in check,” said Perrotta.

“She plays in the back because everyone can hear her back there,” joked her father John.

Perrotta was the leader of a young but very talented defense which includes sweeper Allie Zazzali, stopper Lisa Camarda and goalie Lauren Mains all sophomores as well as senior
Carly Wells and freshman Bridget Cornwell. The Raiders’ first unit yielded just twelve goals the entire year and Perrotta is quick to spread the credit around.

“Allie Zazzali is a really strong sweeper and the anchor of our defense. All four of us on defense interact with Lauren Mains throughout the game. She's an amazing keeper. It's our second year playing together so we really know to play with and for each other, at practice and in games, “ said Perrotta.

“It’s great having her back there,” said Mains. “I know she will always clear the ball away from our end.”

While the Raiders have a strong and balanced scoring attack, Perrotta rarely ventures up the field into the opponent’s goal area. She understands her role perfectly.

“I can't say that I like defense better than offense, but I can say that I think that's the position where I can help my team out the most. To me, it's equally rewarding to stop someone from scoring than to actually score. “

Ironically enough, Perrotta was injured in a non-contact situation, spraining her ankle in a rut on the Raiders’ home field.
“Getting injured your senior year is definitely frustrating,” said Perrotta.
“It's the last time you're going to play with your high school team and to miss a week, or even one game is really hard. When the doctor told me I'd sprained my foot and that I would miss two weeks of the season I said to him that I'd be seeing him in one week ready to play.

“ That following Tuesday I was cleared and I only missed two games. The team and my coaches were really supportive, making sure that I was taking care of my injury and not pushing it too much. The girls knew how hard it was for me to miss two key games in our season, but I wouldn't have been able to get through that week without their support.”

Perrotta’s injury happened at an inopportune time but the Raiders were able to overcome her absence and defeat two previously undefeated teams, Bridgewater Raritan and Kearny. Perrotta never doubted that Scotch Plains would survive her absence.

“One person doesn't make a team, I knew they could do it. While it was frustrating to sit on the bench I knew that being a captain isn't just about playing on the field but what you do off the field too. Since I couldn't play with them I knew it was what I saying on the bench that would make a strong, positive difference, “ said Perrotta.

“All of us on the team like to think that we're a great team, not just a group of great individuals. They played really well together and I couldn't have been more proud of them. Every game we have to play our best despite who is able to play and who isn't.

“ I don't think I am the only leader on the team. Jessie(Sapienza) and Jenna (Balestriere) are awesome captains. I think we've set a really good attitude for this season. All the seniors have been great leaders this year too,” said Perrotta.

“I just try to do what I'm put in the game for. Each game I make sure that I'm playing my best and giving it my all. My goal every game is simple; make sure that they don't get the ball and score ,” said Perrotta.

Perrotta relishes the challenges of shutting down the opposition’s top scorer.
“ It's awesome that my team and coaches have faith in me to mark the players I mark. I don't want to disappoint them so it just makes me work harder. My job is to just make sure that the ball isn't down in our end ,” said Perrotta.

An excellent student, Perrotta understands the importance of making time in her busy schedule for studying.

“I do what I have to do to do well in school. I knew that if I ever wanted to play at a good school my activities couldn't be the only thing to get me in. I set high expectations for myself and don't like not living up to them.”

Although a talented thespian and athlete, Perrotta sees her future in the corporate world.
“I would like to do something in business. I've already applied to six schools, and I'm hoping to hear from them soon. I also plan on minoring in drama. Where that might lead me, I have no idea, ‘ said Perrotta.

Her performance next spring in West Side Story will make four straight years that Perrotta has performed in the play. she was a dancer in Mame as a freshman.
”The play has been a very big part of my high school experience and the people in it make it even more memorable. “

She could have just as easily been talking about soccer.