Ridgewood Star Lucia Mastellone Earns Spot on Italy’s Olympic Flag Football Team

Former Ridgewood High School standout Lucia Mastellone is taking her flag football career to the international stage after earning a place on Italy’s women’s Olympic flag football team. Mastellone recently attended a training camp in Rome and secured one of 20 roster spots for Team Italy. She is now competing for one of the final 10 positions for the upcoming World Games in Germany as international flag football continues to expand rapidly ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Eligible through her Italian heritage and dual citizenship, Mastellone received the opportunity after Ridgewood coach Mickey McDermott submitted game film highlighting her success at both the high school and club levels. During her high school career, Mastellone established herself as one of New Jersey’s top girls flag football athletes. She earned First-Team All-State honors, totaled 866 offensive yards and 20 touchdowns during the 2025 season, and helped lead Ridgewood to three consecutive regional championships. She also participated in the prestigious U.S. Army Bowl All-American Flag Football Game and competed for the Jets Flag Elite travel program, which helped prepare her for the international 5-on-5 Olympic-style format. The story reflects the growing opportunities available in girls flag football as the sport gains momentum globally through high school programs, college recruiting opportunities, professional partnerships, and Olympic competition.