Vicenza's Natalia Lopez drives toward the basket and American Overseas School of Rome's Natalia DiMatteo during the championship game Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, of the DODEA-Europe girls Division II basketball championships in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
WIESBADEN, Germany – Natalia DiMatteo was on crutches last season when her American Overseas School of Rome girls basketball team won the DODEA-Europe Division II title with a thrilling victory over Vicenza.
So the 5-foot, 10-inch forward didn’t need a lot of motivation at Saturday’s rematch with the Cougars – the last time in four years she would wear a Falcons basketball jersey.
“You always have to step it up in these games,” she said after scoring 22 points in a 38-36 victory that once again came down to the final seconds.
DiMatteo’s layup on a drive that started at halfcourt broke a 33-33 tie with 3 minutes, 33 seconds. She then hit three free throws to seal the victory.
Vicenza’s Trishauna Lewis, who scored with 31 seconds for the Cougars’ final points, missed a shot on a running drive that would have tied it and the clock ran out as the ball went out of bounds.
Vicenza's Jenina Smith grimaces after crashing into American Overseas School of Rome's Nina Neroni, left, and Gloria Olivieri Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, during the championship of the DODEA-Europe girls Division II basketball championships in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Vicenza's Yarelli Telles puts up a shot Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, against American Overseas School of Rome defenders Natalia DiMatteo, center, and Leah Renk during the championship game of the DODEA-Europe girls Division II basketball championships in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
American Overseas School of Rome's Natalia DiMatteo puts up a shot Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, while Vicenza's Gracie Perry defends during the championship game of the DODEA-Europe girls Division II basketball championships at Wiesbaden, Germany. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Vicenza's Jenina Smith soars toward the basket Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, during the championship game at the DODEA-Europe girls Division II championship game in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
It was the second straight excruciating loss in the title game for the Cougars and coach John Kohut. Silvia Goldman’s full-court drive and layup at the buzzer was the difference in 2025.
“This was our year,” Kohut said. “We just didn’t execute when we needed to.”
Kohut said part of Vicenza’s game plan was to get the ball inside and try to draw fouls on AOSR’s post players. That strategy worked with Falcons center Nina Neroni, who was in foul trouble all game before fouling out with 1:30 left. AOSR looked like it was in trouble when Goldman, the team’s point guard, also picked up her fifth foul 5 seconds later.
“We finished with two freshmen on the floor,” Falcons coach Lillian Aldred said, shaking her head.
They were paired with three experienced seniors, though: DiMatteo, guard Gloria Olivieri and forward Leah Renk. The Falcons have seven seniors.
“We’ve been playing together for so long,” said DiMatteo, named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
The team won the title during her freshmen year, then lost to Naples when she was a sophomore. She broke her ankle midway through her junior campaign and cheered on with the rest of the team’s fan base at Goldman’s game-ending heroics.
“It’s been the best group of players I’ve ever coached,” Aldred said, fighting back emotions.
Aldred said part of her team’s game plan was to limit the Cougars’ runs. Vicenza has fed off its defense the last two years, turning turnovers into points and gaining momentum in the process.
DiMatteo consistently helped break the Cougars’ press, getting feeds from Goldman and then passing it back to get the ball past half court.
“Breaking that press was a key,” DiMatteo said. “I hadn’t been running hard enough to the ball and Silvia was getting pounded.”
But Kohut credited her aggressiveness driving to the basket – instead of just waiting for the ball on the post – for repeatedly hurting his team.
“We let her score too many times on those drives,” he said.
Yareli Telles finished with 19 points for the Cougars and Jenina Smith added 10. Goldman had seven for the Falcons.
