Harper's LaRocco is second in the nation in points

When checking the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III women's soccer statistical leaders, one name stands alone: Jaclyn LaRocco.

The Harper College freshman forward is second in the nation with 52 points (21 goals, 10 assists) in 11 games.

“She should be at 30 goals (scorer) and (have) 15 assists,” Harper coach Dwayne Cruz said of his star forward. “She is one of the top players in the country at the junior college level.”

With all she has accomplished on the soccer field this season (North Centrial Community College Conference MVP, first team all conference, first team all region IV), it would be logical to infer that LaRocco joined the Harper program as a prolific scorer. But it was quite the contrary for the Schaumburg High School graduate.

LaRocco started her Saxons career at the freshman level, earned a midseason promotion to the junior varsity level, and then was summoned to the varsity team by Schaumburg coach Greg Charvat during regional play.

The evenual three-year varsity starter received interest from two four-year schools as a senior, NCAA Division II Michigan Tech and Division III Dominican University.

LaRocco considered attending Michigan Tech, but a variety of factors, including her intended education major, tilted the balance in Harper's favor.

It's been the Hawks' gain.

“What I like about her is that she is creative, she can do what most girls can't do with the ball at her feet,” Cruz said.

Ten of LaRocco's goals this season came in the season opener on Sept. 1, against Milwaukee Area Technical College.

“I was kind of nervous because it was my first college game,” LaRocco said of her pregame jitters. “Once I get the ball, my mind just says, ‘go to the goal.' If I see a whole bunch of defenders in front of me, I look around for my teammates.

“I don't take all the credit (for being among the nation's leader in points). I am not a selfish person,” LaRocco said.

Oddly enough, more selfishness is exactly what Cruz would like to see from LaRocco on the field.

“We are pushing her to be a creative player,” Cruz said. “Lately she has been coming out of her box.”

“All of my coaches though my playing career have told me to be more selfish,” LaRocco said.

LaRocco has lofty goals, both for herself and her Hawks teammates.

“I am hoping to win the championship,” she said. “I want to be a championship player.”