Mepham High School’s Sofia LaSpina, 15, became the first female football player to score a touchdown in Long Island history in a 49-21 win over Roslyn on Saturday.
The 5-foot-5, 140-pound LaSpina, a junior, caught three passes for 45 yards against Roslyn, but none more important than the four-yard touchdown in the second half.
“I turned around and the ball was right on target and I was in the end zone,” LaSpina told Newsday. “The guys were all pumped up.”
LaSpina received praise from prominent figures on the North Shore.
“Congratulations to Mepham High School wide receiver Sofia LaSpina, who caught a four-yard touchdown pass Saturday during a 49-21 win over Roslyn High School to become the first female football player in Long Island history to score a touchdown in a high school football game,” ESPN analyst and Roslyn resident Adam Schefter tweeted.
“A big congratulations to #NY04’s Sofia LaSpina on the history-making catch and for being an inspiration to all the other little girls out there with football dreams of their own,” U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) tweeted.
“Congratulations to @MephamHS Junior Sofia LaSpina for making HERstory this weekend as the first female football player on Long Island to score a touchdown,” Nassau County Executive Laura Curran tweeted.
LaSpina’s touchdown was featured during the halftime of NBC’s Sunday Night Football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens. LaSpina was also named as the the New York Jets’ High School Player of the Week presented by Gatorade. LaSpina will receive a $1,000 donation from the team to support Mepham’s football program.
Efforts to reach a representative from Roslyn High School for comment were unavailing.
