Yero to Continue Soccer Career in College

Brooke Yero’s athletic potential was obvious when, as a freshman, she earned a spot on the girls varsity soccer team, the only freshman to earn the coveted spot. The team at this point was very strong, with players like Mackenzie Albert leading them to the quarterfinals of both the NJSIAA and the Essex County Tournaments. But despite the highly competitive level of the team, Yero soon became a routine starter. “Initially I was nervous because I didn’t want to let anyone down,” said Yero, “[but] the team was welcoming from the start, and I was able to just be myself and play the game I love.” 

Yero started her journey at three years old, when her parents signed her up for a soccer camp, and has continued pursuing this career since then. She credits her dad for her character development, and for shaping who she is both as a person and an athlete. “[He] has been my biggest mentor throughout my journey: he’s taught me the fundamentals of not only how to be a good player, but also a teammate and leader,” Yero said, explaining how without her father’s “constant guidance and relentlessness to never let [her] be anything but [her] best,” she truly wouldn’t have become the person she is today.

In her third year of high school Yero became one of the few juniors awarded with the title of captain. “I had no reservations about making her a captain at that age,” said Coach Mike DiPiano, head coach for girls soccer, softball, and wrestling. “You’ve got to be special to be a captain as a junior, and [Brooke] was a leader already, so the title just fit well,” he said. 

“It’s hard to be a leader, but to lead by example is really the most important part,” said DiPiano. Yero scored a total of twenty goals and made eighteen assists throughout her four years on the varsity team, according to statistics compiled by NJ.com. “Since she’s been a freshman, a lot of what we’ve done on the field has gone through her, and she’s become such an integral part of our team,” said DiPiano.

“[Yero] is a natural leader,” said Isa Harrington, current sophomore and two time varsity player. “From planning team bonding sessions, to leading warm-ups before a game, you can tell she really cares for this team.” Harrington says that Yero always “makes sure everybody feels included and a part of the team,” and often gives constructive criticism to “help team development throughout the season.”

After Yero’s freshman year, the team sent nine seniors off to college - many of which contributed to the starting lineup - leaving a young, inexperienced team behind. And since that 2021-2022 season, the girls varsity team has had a hard time rebuilding. In the fall of 2022, the team suffered many losses, with a record of 3-15. In the 2023 season the team had a record of 6-14 – faring slightly better than the previous year -- and during this past fall, a record of 7-13. 

While progress has slowly been made, Yero has often found herself in stressful situations, where the team looked to her for inspiration. But despite the pressures of the game she has found ways to uplift her team, stating, “plenty of times throughout the season they would make jokes about me laughing on the field, making funny noises, or dancing; I think that seeing me so calm and simply enjoying the game made it easier for them to do the same.” She said that “being a captain has taught [her] the importance of holding yourself and others accountable, the importance of recognizing when people are struggling and being able to lift them up, and above all, to remind them to do things with 100% passion and heart.”

But Yero’s dedication and hard work has not been limited to the playing field; her integrity and work ethic have translated over into other parts of her life as well. Yero is currently a Vice President of C.O.R.E Ambassadors, a club dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment within the school community; a secretary for Key Club, a community outreach program; and a member of Student Council, Spanish National Honor Society, and National Honor Society. “[Soccer] has beaten me down to the point where I questioned my ability as not only a player, but a leader as well…with that being said, it’s also been the reason I’ve built unbreakable bonds, learned how to lead a team, become more mentally tough, even within other aspects of my life,” said Yero.

While her high school career might be over, Yero plans on continuing to play in college, majoring in Kinesiology and minoring in Sports Management. “Your team sees you at your absolute best and worst, and because of this they turn into your family. I’d give anything for five more minutes on the field with mine.”