Obviously, Domenick DiPaolo’s life revolves around soccer. Sincehis family arrived in Brookhaven last summer from Key West, Fla.,DiPaolo has made a major impact on the local soccer scene.

Fresh from a 3-week adventure in Europe, DiPaolo is lookingforward to his sophomore year at Brookhaven High School. Besidesmaintaining a 3.85 GPA in the classroom, he plays second trumpet inthe BHS band.

The European soccer experience was preceded by a month-long stayin Brazil the previous summer. “I was better prepared for this tripthan I was last summer when I was on the Under 16-19 team inBrazil,” said DiPaolo. “Last year I experienced shell-shock when weplayed the Chinese National Under-19 team.”

A goalkeeper by choice and a part-time midfielder, DiPaolo hasnumerous up-front and personal encounters with the opposition. Herecalled an experience last month in Sweden while he was playingfor the United Soccer Academy International’s U-18 team. A teammatewas playing the keeper position.

“A Swedish player tried to get past (keeper) and they collided,”said DiPaolo. “The keeper got hit by a knee and it broke hisjaw.

“The keeper got a yellow card (penalty) because the referee saidhe tried to tackle (forward). The refs are normallyprotective.”

Playing on a squad composed of two teams and 31 North Americanplayers, including four from Mississippi and two from Canada, theteam trained in Denmark. DiPaolo helped his team reach the Round of16 in the Gothia Cup 2000 playoffs. He also played on the U-18 teamwhich achieved the quarterfinals of the Dana Cup.

DiPaolo’s defensive efforts helped his team register fiveshutouts. He posted an .889 save percentage in bothtournaments.

Asked to compare the American and Danish style of play, DiPaolosaid, “They play a lot more physical over there. They use along-ball attack and try to pass the ball down the sidelines.”

Many of the opposing teams had been playing together for eightyears. “We accomplished quite a feat by reaching the quarterfinals.It was a great experience for me. I got to travel and represent mycountry and community overseas in two of the world’s best andbiggest youth soccer tournaments.”

Cooler air temperatures were often in the 50s and 60s lastmonth. DiPaolo remembered a hail storm while his team was travelingon a bus to a tournament playing site. “The hail was coming inthrough the vents in the roof.”

DiPaolo said the European food was different from what hepreferred. “Don’t eat the lasagna. They put carrots, corn and peasin the lasagna.

“I ate a lot of bread and fruit,” DiPaolo added. He also madefrequent trips to the local McDonald’s and Burger King. “They putcucumbers instead of pickles on sandwiches. The French fries werevery good.”

Asked about sightseeing in Denmark, Sweden and The Netherlands,DiPaolo grinned. “I liked the women. We got to go to a couple ofdance clubs in Sweden.”

In Denmark and Sweden, many residents spoke English. It wasdifferent in Brazil where DiPaolo picked up a few Portuguesephrases. The style of soccer was vastly different, too.

“In Brazil, they played a fast-paced game with a lot of quickpassing,” said DiPaolo. “Soccer was more upbeat.”

Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 165 pounds, DiPaolo is a soccerveteran who began playing the game at 4 years of age. As a freshmanat BHS, he helped the Panthers to a co-championship in the districtrace and the state playoffs, recording 10 shutouts.

“We want to win the whole thing for Coach Rob (McCreary) thisyear,” said DiPaolo. “We should have a real strong team.”

His parents, Peter and Carolyn DiPaolo, are both nationallycertified soccer coaches. Mrs. DiPaolo will coach theCopiah-Lincoln Community College women’s soccer team this fall.

Peter, retired from the Navy, plans to serve as a volunteercoach on the BHS soccer staff. A Wal-Mart Distribution Centeremployee, he moved his family from Key West.

“Mississippi has good soccer teams and it’s a lot moreconvenient,” said Domenick. There are three high schools in KeyWest and outside competition is a two-hour drive away inHomestead.

DiPaolo said the soccer experience in Europe and Brazil boostedhis confidence level several notches. “I was going against some ofthe best players in the world. I hope to go back next year.”