U.S. NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE
Rostered with U.S. Women’s National Team at the U-15, U-16, and U-17 levels...Named team captain of U.S. U-15 WNT that won the 2016 CONCACAF title...Received Best XI center back award..Rostered with U.S. U-17 WNT that won the 2017 Torneo Femminile Delle Nazioni Tournament...Traveled to numerous international trips with the U.S. WNT program...Attended U.S. WNT training camps with Nittany Lions Jordan Canniff, Julia Dohle, Cori Dyke, Payton Linnehan and Kate Wiesner.
BEFORE PENN STATE
Ranked No. 19 overall, and the No. 6 defender, in the 2019 class by TopDrawerSoccer...Played club soccer for Cedar Stars Academy...Has been an ECNL finalist at the U-16 (Match Fit Academy) and U-18 (PDA) levels...Played soccer at Brick Memorial High School as a sophomore...Named the offensive MVP...Named coaches all-division A South first-team honors...Named a all-state group 4 third-team selection...A member of the ODP at state, regional and national levels.
PERSONAL
Leah Elizabeth Scarpelli was born on September 18, 2001, in Toms River, New Jersey…Parents are Craig and Elizabeth Scarpelli…Craig was a goalkeeper on the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team in 1980 and played for the St. Louis Steamers/Minnesota Strikers (MISL) and for the Ft. Lauderdale/Minnesota Strikers (NASL)…Has two older sisters, Hannah and Sarah…Plans to major in Biobehavioral health…Last name is pronounced scar-pell-e.
WHY I CHOSE PENN STATE
"I just knew after my first visit that in my heart, Penn State was truly where I wanted to continue my academic and soccer career. Impressed was an understatement of how I felt after that visit. I knew that attending Penn State would provide me with the tools to become a better athlete and student. I am excited to work with one of the best and most intelligent coaching staffs in the country. They expect a lot from their players, but yet have a high degree of compassion and understanding for each individual on the team. I was impressed with their upfront honest approach to what was expected on and off the field. I am honored and very excited to be a part of the Nittany Lion family!"