In his first year on the Northeastern men’s soccer team, freshman forward Tomas Sciarra has already made himself a standout player. Named CAA Rookie of the Week following a five-point performance against Merrimack Sept. 10, the Husky is proving his value as a rookie. 

“I told my mom [after the Merrimack match] that it was gonna be the first award I got at Northeastern, so it’s good that the manifestation came through,” Sciarra said.

From Miami, Fla., Sciarra began playing soccer when he was just two years old. A sibling rivalry with his older brother sparked his initial interest in the game. 

“I always wanted to be better than him,” he said, “He plays in college, so that made me want to play in college.”

Playing soccer in college was not always Sciarra’s goal. He took a break from soccer for a period of time, looking for other outlets — but he couldn’t stay away from the pitch.

“I just had so much free time on my hands. I started going to the gym, but it just wasn’t the same,” he said. “I saw my brother having fun with his teammates and that made me miss the factor of having a second group of friends and second family.”

Scairra transferred to Gulliver Prep High School to play soccer, where his team went on to win the boy’s soccer 2023 Florida High School Sports Association State Championship. Sciarra credited his high school team and head coach, Scott Davidson, for reigniting his passion for soccer and his desire to play in college. 

In 2023, three players on Northeastern’s roster had previously played for Weston FC, Sciarra’s travel soccer club. Because of this, Weston’s recruiting director had a close relationship with the Huskies.

“It was a big Weston [FC] family, and the program, in my eyes, really liked Miami people, and I came up here to visit Boston and I fell in love with it,” Sciarra said.

Graduate defender Fabrizio Cubeddu was an integral part of Sciarra’s arrival at Northeastern. Cubeddu played at Weston FC and has known Sciarra since he was “a young kid.”

“Starting off with preseason, he needed to see that he’s starting to play with and against adults, and I think he’s done well since he started playing games and getting minutes,” Cubeddu said. “He’s been making better choices on the ball, and he’s running a lot more compared to when I played with him before, he seems a lot more fit and hungrier than ever.” 

Work ethic and hunger are qualities that define Sciarra’s attitude on the field — and it doesn’t go unnoticed by his coaches.

“He works exceptionally hard, and that’s the first way you get on the field when you’re playing for me,” Head Coach Jeremy Bonomo said. “I think that makes him more confident, and then that confidence helps him on the field.”

Sciarra has appeared in seven of Northeastern’s 10 games this season, scoring six goals. On Sept. 15, he got his first career start against Merrimack. With two goals and an assist, Sciarra recorded five points and earned the CAA Rookie of the Week title. He has started in all five games since receiving the honor.

Sciarra’s performance on the field is not the only place he has made an impact. 

“There’s more laughs,” junior forward Fraser Brown said. “Everyone’s coming together a bit more and joining in on jokes together. He brings a fun energy that all the boys want to get involved in together.”

Sciarra has jumped right in and settled well into the team’s dynamic since joining. Bonomo described him as a “class clown kind of jokester.” Bringing in a youthful energy, Sciarra has changed the mindset of the older players on the team. “He’s just bringing an energy that reminds us that it is just college soccer, and that enjoying it to the fullest is going to give us a different approach,” Cubeddu said. 

There are seven rookies on Northeastern’s roster this season. 

“My teammates have made it fantastic,” Sciarra said. “I couldn’t ask for a better freshman class. The seniors made it super welcoming for us. It’s just like a big family. We’ve all hung out together.”

Just beginning his career as a Husky, Sciarra still has three to four more years left to play at Northeastern. Brown, in his final two seasons with the team, expects the program will be left in good hands. He hopes for Sciarra to help Northeastern “bring home some trophies.”

Bonomo echoed that sentiment and said he has been confident in Sciarra’s abilities up to this point.

“As long as he keeps doing what he’s been doing, there is always going to be a spot for him,” he said.

But for now, Sciarra is staying focused on the present — and continuing to put out his best effort each day. Northeastern’s record stands at 1-4-7, but Sciarra remains firm that numbers do not tell the whole story. He believes that Bonomo has not been here long enough for him to develop the team as much as possible. 

“Off the field, we’re growing as people. Everyone is developing their personal skills, and it’s all going to [Bonomo’s] plan,” Sciarra said.