'The perfect athlete, it's her.' No challenge too big for North Jersey lacrosse captain
Isabella Lotito had every reason to walk away.
The Mahwah senior has dealt with two labrum tears in her career – one in each shoulder. She's battled epilepsy for the last four years and experienced a seizure in a lacrosse game earlier this season. Sometimes, her medication can make her sleepy by 8 p.m. or feel fatigued.
As challenging as life can be, Lotito has more matches to play and goals to score after committing to Moravian University. And after opening up on a tumultuous high school career, the two-time captain urged athletes in her shoes not to see epilepsy as the end of their athletic journey.
"She's been an absolute trooper throughout all of it," Mahwah coach Brian Girardi said. "If you draw up the perfect athlete, it's her."
The last 12 months have been far from perfect for the Thunderbirds' midfielder. A number of setbacks late last year made doctors question if it was time to put lacrosse on hold.
But Lotito pressed on for a team that needed her offense and experience. She's scored 24 goals this season and buried the game-winner in the final minute against Westwood last week.
Her resilience has rubbed off on the Thunderbirds (10-7), who will host Cedar Grove in the opening round of the state tournament. Securing a home playoff game was no small feat in a year when three of their five seniors quit at the start of the season.
"We honestly didn't know how it would turn out," Lotito said. "Our team really overcame a lot of adversity. We're so close this year. We help each other out. We hang out with each other. We love each other. It's one of the most special teams we had in a while."
Since first lacing up her cleats in second grade, Lotito has developed a reputation as a film junkie and the type of player who only needs to be told something once. When asked what part of the game she takes most pride in, Lotito talks about ground balls and tough defense rather than points. Girardi calls her a Swiss Army Knife.
"She's more happy for the kid who scores," Girardi said. "The funny thing is when she makes an assist, the way she celebrates. She jumps up in the air. Even if it's not off an assist, she's always the first kid to be there."
A life-changing discovery
Over the years, Lotito has learned how to navigate life with epilepsy. Playing sports and eating a healthy diet can help, as does Vitamin D. If a seizure is coming on, Lotito will often get pressure under her eyes and a weird feeling, "like a twitch". As a precaution, Lotito stops by the Mahwah bench after each goal and nods if everything is OK.
The first sign of trouble came way back in October 2020. Lotito woke up from a nap and started feeling unusual.
"She was sitting at the kitchen counter and I was in my office," her father, Lou Lotito, said. "What happened was, I hear something go ba-boom. I run out, like what the heck is going on? To tell you the truth, I have epilepsy too. So it's genetic. I knew right away she was having a seizure."
Lotito got the diagnosis about a week later after an electroencephalogram, or EEG, showed spikes in her brainwaves. Neurologists were hopeful that she would outgrow the condition – more than half of children do, according to the Epilepsy Foundation – but Lou Lotito said last June to November was a nightmarish point where "it was one grand mal after another".
One painful episode caused Isabella to fall out of bed and pop her shoulder again. Lotito lost her final club season, but not hope. After taking six months off to heal from surgery, she was back in action for winter league this January.
"This year has definitely been a lot better, aside from that last hiccup," Lotito said. "The support system has been great. I've been surrounded by great people and I've just been taking better care of myself."
That last hiccup occurred in the first half against Ramsey when Lotito was about 20 yards behind the play. Lotito snapped out of it quickly and watched the rest of the game from the bench. Her presence alone helped re-assure teammates during the win.
"I'm sure it was super frustrating but she was on the sideline cheering, as involved in the game as you would want," Girardi said. "She could have easily just sat there and felt sorry for herself, but that's not who she is."
Back in business
Lotito returned the following game and got plenty of cheers later in the season for completing an upset over Westwood. The Thunderbirds set up a play for Abby Clark, but Lotito came around the crease and took a feed from the team's leading scorer instead. Lotito drew a foul and converted the ensuing free position to break a nine-all tie.
While her Mahwah career is almost complete, Lotito is excited for the next chapter in Bethlehem and the chance to play alongside her older sister Gianna.
"I just love the sport so much," Lotito said. "There are so many people out there who have this issue, so many Division I athletes who go through the same problems and they keep going and work hard. They don't let this condition stop them. If you love something, just keep playing. You work through it and overcome the adversity."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Isabella Lotito inspires Mahwah NJ girls lacrosse team
