In a May 7, 1995 Chicago Tribune article, reporter Patrick McGavin declared, “Combining rare skills with a sureness of purpose, [Anne] Mucci, a senior striker from Naperville Central, has the intangibles that separate her from most players. She is a devastating offensive weapon with an ability to break down defenses with her speed and quickness with the ball. But she is the epitome of the unselfish player, someone who relishes setting up teammates as much as scoring herself.” Then high school senior Mucci, shared, “I see my role on the team not just as a scorer but more importantly as a distributor. We have so much talent on this team, for teams to concentrate on stopping me, we're much more difficult to play against when everybody is involved." With that team-first focus as a centralizing force in her athletic pursuits, Anne Mucci left a remarkable and distinctive imprint at Naperville Central.An indomitable force on the volleyball and basketball court as well as the soccer field, Mucci was a consummate competitor. Mom Margaret Mucci noted in an interview with McGavin, "She's always been very active and very intense […] It didn't matter what the sport was." That love of sport was a family affair, as Mucci and her younger sister Jane (NCHS Class of 1997), played together at every possible level, often coached by their dad, Dave. Daily Herald reporter Kevin Schmidt commented in a 1995 article, “There’s always been ‘another game’ for Anne Mucci. From a basketball game to a volleyball game, a swim meet to a track meet; as far back as Mucci can remember, life has been a non-stop series of events to feed her competitive spirit.” Her intensity and spirit earned her multiple varsity letters and countless accolades. As a member of the 1993 DVC champion volleyball team, she also earned Academic All-Conference honors. A three-year varsity letter winner in basketball, Mucci was named to the All-Conference and Daily Herald All-Area teams in 1994 and 1995, averaging 12.5 points per game as a captain in her senior season. She was a leading force in two conference and three regional titles and one sectional championship. Though always intently focused on the game and goal at hand, Mucci never forgot the hopeful watching eyes of younger female athletes, taking the time to recognize fans, modeling resilience and strength in her play. She was one to watch – and emulate.While Mucci commanded courts, she truly owned the soccer field. Schmit wrote, “[…] in the heart, soul and mind of [Mucci], nothing has ever compared to soccer.” As Mucci explained to Schmit, “What I like about soccer is that it’s a player’s sport. A coach can’t call a timeout. You have to think for yourself so much. I don’t know, soccer has always been different than everything else. It’s been better.” A four-year varsity starter, she garnered All-Conference, All-Area, and All-Sectional honors. In her shining senior season, she was named to the IHSSCA All-State and All-Midwest teams and declared the Naperville Sun, Daily Herald, Chicago Sun Times, and Chicago Tribune Player of the Year. A quick glance at the Naperville Central soccer records reveals a dominant Mucci thread: 3rd in school history for career goals (52); 5th in career assists (37); 3rd in career points (141); and first in season goals (21). For all of her individual accomplishments, Mucci celebrates most her team successes. During her tenure, the Redhawk soccer teams were three-time conference and regional champions, two-time sectional champions, and two-time state runner-ups. Together, they compiled the most wins in school history (22) in 1994 and 1995. Sweetening this success was the chance to sharing it all with her sister, Jane, as well as co-captain and childhood friend and teammate, Rebecca Rose. Mucci capped off her senior year with the distinction of being named NCHS’s Female Athlete of Year.With red and white gear in tow, Mucci headed to Huskie territory and began a celebrated soccer career at Northern Illinois University. Her collegiate performance leaves her ranked among the Top 40 all-time NCAA Division 1 career scorers, keeping company with Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach. She earned many NIU program firsts, including initial recognition as a four-time all-league performer, Academic All-America, and All-America, setting NIU career marks in goals (43), assists (43) and points (129), while posting four career hat tricks. In her senior season, Mucci was named the MAC Player of the Year and NIU Outstanding Female Senior Athlete. In 2008, she was the first and only female soccer player inducted into the Northern Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame.A gifted student, Mucci earned a degree in History Education and a master’s degree in Educational Administration. She translated that passion for education into her work as a teacher and coach at Oswego High School. Currently, Mucci coaches youth soccer in many capacities, including as part of the Illinois Olympic Development Program. She has been especially proud to watch her former players go on to play at the high school, college, and professional levels.For all of her personal achievements, Mucci is fiercely committed to family. Proud mom to Ella, AJ, and Matt, and wife to Naperville Central grad, Jeff Iwinski, Mucci continues to cultivate the loving and competitive nature of her childhood in her own family. The love of sport has never left her, and it beats as strongly in her children as it did in her. Her advice to current athletes is, “Enjoy the time you have as a high school athlete! It goes by so fast! And there is really nothing like being able to put on your high school jersey and represent your school and your community.”That is something Mucci did proudly, tirelessly, and selflessly in every arena she called home.