NEDERLAND — Emma Roccaforte has always been one to set goals for herself.

Not only does she set goals, but she also puts in the extra work to be successful.

Roccaforte, a Nederland High School senior, is well known as a talented athlete. She’s goalkeeper and captain of the girls soccer team and also plays for the Albion Hurricanes out of Houston.

But these aren’t her only claims to fame, so to speak. Roccaforte is currently ranked fifth in her senior class, holds several leadership roles at school and has already been accepted for a full scholarship to McNeese State University.

“It’s a balancing act,” Roccaforte said of academics and athletics. “I work at it. Study late nights. I am always big on goals.”

Roccaforte began playing soccer at the age of 3 or 4 and by 9 she started as goalkeeper.

“I fell in love with it at an early age,” she said of the game. “I think I have a certain drive to pursue. At a young age people noticed I have a gift, and I developed myself. I want to pay my parents back for all they do.”

Her parents, Charles and Brandy Roccaforte, have been constants at her side supporting her, even driving three times a week to Houston for games.

“My parents have done a really good job to help me pursue my goals, opened the gates for me to pursue my goals,” she said.

Roccaforte is student body president, president of the National Honor Society and member of the Spanish Honor Society. She’s also part of Youth Leadership SouthEast Texas.

While at McNeese, she’ll play soccer while majoring in biological science with a focus on pre-med, she said.