Nadia and Giada Zaffanella grew up playing soccer with their dad and brother in their backyard in Ellington, Conn. Now, they’re teammates together on the Lafayette women’s soccer team.
Nadia Zaffanella is now in her sophomore season as a Leopard, finding the back of the net in the team’s first game against Siena College on Aug. 15. Last season, she scored five goals and notched two assists, which earned her Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors.
Seeing Nadia Zaffanella’s success in her freshman campaign, it only made sense to add another member of the family. This season, the Leopards will see younger sister Giada Zaffanella play in the midfield.
“We have a good soccer bond and playing together makes us respect each other on and off the pitch,” Giada Zaffanella said.
The duo played together at Oakwood Soccer Academy and Ellington High School.
“We are a soccer family,” Nadia Zaffanella said. “There is never a Saturday when the English Premier League is not on.”
The pair was successful at Oakwood Soccer Academy: both earned the role of team captain during their high school tenures. In Nadia Zaffanella’s senior year of high school, the sisters won the national championship together.
“Even though I was young, I played the quarters,” Giada Zaffanella said of the championship run. “It is cool having her on the field with me.”
Their teammates have taken note of the sisters’ dynamic and their impact on the team.
“The Zaffanella sisters bring a wholesome yet competitive spirit that betters the team on and off the field,” sophomore midfielder Brianna Sousa said.
In addition to their Division I competition, the Zaffanellas also have an older brother, Diego, who plays on the men’s soccer team at Yale University.
“Our dad coached [all three] of us, we would always play in the backyard,” Nadia Zaffanella said.
Facing the pressure of her two older siblings also playing at the Division I level, Giada Zaffanella looks to carve out her own path on the team this season.
“It is a little stressful,” Giada Zaffanella said. “People have expectations … we are a competitive family, we play similarly, but I want to make a name for myself.”
The older Zaffanella sister reiterated this idea.
“When it comes to Giada, I try to separate our relationship when we are with the team,” Nadia Zaffanella said. “There is no special treatment.”
While this may be the case on the field, having the comfort of family while adjusting to college life has helped the younger sister find her place off the field “with classes and fitting in,” according to Giada Zaffanella.
The sisters are back in action against Georgetown in Washington, D.C., this Sunday. Giada Zaffanella is excited to “compete, gain confidence and work hard on the field and the gym,” and her sister is hoping to best her five goals scored last season.