Leah Scarpelli
Leah Elizabeth "Scarps" Scarpelli is an American professional women's soccer player who plays as a defender or midfielder for Brooklyn FC starting in the inaugural year of the USL Super League. She is currently in her second year at Brooklyn FC. She has previously played professionally for Sporting Club de Portugal and Brisbane Roar FC.
Early life
Scarpelli is a native of Brick Township, New Jersey. She started playing soccer at the age of four in the Brick, NJ travelling soccer program and played high school soccer at Brick Memorial High School in her sophomore year. High school honors included: Offensive Player MVP, First Team All A South Jersey, All-State Third Team.Scarpelli played soccer at several travelling club teams throughout her youth/high school including: NJSA, International Girls Futbol Academy, Match Fit Academy, Player Development Academy and Cedar Stars Academy.
Scarpelli was on the state, regional and national youth soccer Olympic Development Program teams. It was at the national ODP training camp in Florida where she was seen by the U.S. scouts and soon thereafter, Scarpelli attended her first US Youth National U-15 training camp at the age of 13 in Carson, CA in March 2015.
College career
Penn State Nittany Lions
Scarpelli was part of Penn State's top-ranked recruiting class of 2019 playing D1 college soccer at and Florida Gulf Coast University. At Penn State, her team won the Big Ten Conference Championship in the Fall of 2019. At FGCU her team won the ASUN Conference Championship in the Fall of 2022.Scarpelli played in the WPSL - Cape Coral in Florida during summer college break and received the 2021 All-Conference Team WPSL - Sunshine South Conference honor.
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
At Florida Gulf Coast University, Scarpelli earned several honors including: 2023 Ken Kavanagh FGCU Eagle Scholar-Athlete Finalist, ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, NCAA United Coaches Women's Scholar All-American - 2nd Team, College Sports News All-American - Third Team, NCAA United Coaches - All South Scholar, ASUN Conference All-Tournament Team, ASUN First Team of the Year, Top Drawer Soccer's National Team of the Week, College Sports Communicators Academic All-District. 2022 ASUN Conference Champions. In September 2022 in the FGCU game vs. Queens College, Scarpelli scored from 45-yards out to earn the number one spot in the ESPN Sports Center Top Ten featured morning program.Scarpelli graduated Summa Cum Laude in December 2022.