In her first soccer season at Appalachian State University, forward Carella DiMaggio was the team's second-leading scorer. The Birmingham Marian product from Commerce Township netted four goals despite playing only about 20 minutes a game. Her fourth goal, scored in a 5-0 blowout of the Citadel, embodied her aggressive playing style, which was on display for three years at Marian (2005-07), including her senior year as team captain.

"The goal she scored against the Citadel was awesome," said Appalachian State coach Ben Popoola. "She used her body to attack the ball in a slide tackle. I use that goal as an example to other players on how they need to step up their games." DiMaggio had many noteworthy highlights this fall with the Mountaineers, who went 10-6-3. She noted the Citadel game, which her team led, 1-0, at intermission despite a poorly played first half. "Our coach said if we didn't win by at least five goals, we'd be running at 6 in the morning because we were playing so badly," DiMaggio said. "I scored within the first 20 seconds of the second half. Then three other girls scored, and we got our five goals." Off the field, she's enjoyed the proverbial southern hospitality on the Boone, N.C., campus and the buzz in the local athletic community created by the football team's upset of the University of Michigan in September. DiMaggio was given a full ride to Appalachian State after the coaches noticed her at a club soccer tournament in Florida during the winter break of her senior year at Marian. She also may have paved the way for others from the talent-laden Oakland County area to attend Appalachian State to play soccer. Bloomfield Hills Lahser forward Jordan Horvath, for example, has committed to play there. "She has done an incredible job of representing Michigan in recruiting," Popoola said. In her freshman year, DiMaggio, a business major, appeared in 17 of 19 games, with four starts. She dressed and traveled to every game. She tallied goals against Virginia Military Institute, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, University of North Carolina-Greensboro and the Citadel. Her favorite was the one against NC-Greensboro, which at the time was the top-ranked team in the Southern Conference, which ASU also competes in. The game was at Greensboro, and DiMaggio entered late in the first half. She scored with 10 minutes left in the game. "The first half, Greensboro was definitely dominating us," she said. "The second half, we came out and played amazing. We lost, 2-1, but we played so well in the second half. "It was pouring rain; it was miserable. But through it all, we played one of our best halves. Greensboro was hyped up to be such a great team, and they definitely were, but we showed we were a great team, too."