A Legacy of Leadership

Alyssa Riporti’s competitiveness and consistency are the drivers behind who she is—a senior captain for the Lehigh women's soccer team who is successful on and off the field.

“I have a relentless drive, and always rely on bringing that same level of intensity, regardless of what I’m doing,” she said.

By being competitive in all areas of her life, Riporti has created a legacy of leadership that began when she was a youngster playing basketball.

“My dad was my coach for basketball my whole childhood until high school, so he instilled that competitive edge in me,” she said. “I’ve naturally brought that drive into everything I’ve done.”

She also played soccer to stay active with friends, and early on, the sport wasn’t her priority.

“I started playing soccer when I was 4 years old, but I was the kid who, up until the sixth grade, was twirling her pigtails, picking the dandelions and wanting a continuous water break. It was just a hobby,” she said.

It became serious when she started playing on her club team. Her passion for the game increased, and she started realizing she might want to play in college.

“When I actually came to Lehigh for a visit, the first thing I noticed was the culture,” said Riporti. “I really liked Lehigh’s leadership development programs and opportunities to grow.”

At Lehigh, Riporti has taken advantage of those opportunities. On the field, she has started every game since the beginning of her sophomore year—but that came after playing in just two games as a freshman.

“In my first two weeks on campus, I wasn’t performing at the level I should have been,” she said. “I eventually came into my own deeper into the season, became more focused and driven and started practicing the way I could, but at that point, the starters were solidified, and we were moving into Patriot League play.

“I worked hard and came back in the spring knowing there were spots open, and I just needed to prove myself,” she said. “I played with confidence, which made a huge difference.”
Riporti’s struggles have helped mold her into the leader she is today. “What I try to do now, as a leader, is honestly tell the freshmen they’re allowed to have a bad practice and do so in a way that doesn’t completely kill their confidence,” she said.

Lehigh head coach Eric Lambinus said, “Alyssa understands what it takes to be successful every day because she had to work hard to earn her position. Alyssa doesn’t take anything for granted. She can talk to every single player on the field and relate to them.

“Alyssa can say, ‘this might be what I am now, but that’s not what I was my entire career.’”

This past summer, Riporti worked in New York City as a sales representative with Uline. She met with clients, discussed their products, helped them build a stronger product portfolio and made recommendations. Though she received an offer, she said, she is “exploring the waters.”

For now, Riporti is focused on finishing her senior year on a high note.

“I want teammates to know they can come to me about anything,” she said. “There is no ‘I’ in ‘team’ so the confidence, success and happiness of each player will make us all better.”
Story by Justin LaFleur