Hingham forward Bello scores late goal while managing Type 1 diabetes

Taylor Bello spent the first portion of a match against Duxbury playing center back. With her team trailing 1-0 and ten minutes remaining, Hingham coach April Tremante moved Bello back to her natural position at center forward. Five minutes later, Bello scored the equalizer, securing a 1-1 draw against the defending Division 2 champions.

Bello is a senior at Hingham High School and a returning Globe All-Scholastic and All-American. She is committed to play soccer at the University of Connecticut. This season, she has recorded 34 goals and 14 assists. Her performance has helped lead the Hingham squad to a 15-1-2 record, placing the team second in the MIAA Division 2 power rankings.

Bello manages Type 1 diabetes, a condition diagnosed when she was eight years old. Her father, Jim Bello, described the initial diagnosis as a major adjustment. The family spent time learning how to count carbohydrates and monitor blood sugar levels daily. Bello said the process was difficult but she has learned to understand her body's signals.

During games, Bello runs her blood sugar higher to prepare for physical exertion. Adrenaline can push those numbers up further. The challenge often comes after games, when blood sugar levels tend to drop following sustained activity. In practice, she sometimes steps off the field to eat gummies if her levels are low.

Coach Tremante noted that Bello remains engaged with her team even when she takes a break. Tremante said Bello encourages her teammates and maintains a positive attitude. Senior defender Chloe Mankes said she often forgets Bello has diabetes because of her intense focus on the field. Mankes stated that Bello does not let the condition affect her work rate.

Bello has become a point of contact for other young athletes managing chronic conditions. Parents and children approach her after games to ask for advice. Bello said she wants to be a voice for girls and boys with diabetes who are also athletes. She aims to be someone they can talk to about their experiences.

The Hingham team will continue its season with upcoming matches. The schedule includes a game against Duxbury, where Bello scored the late goal, and other contests against top-ranked teams in the division.

Bello asked her parents if she could continue playing soccer after her diagnosis. Her father said he is proud of how she carries herself. He noted that individuals with chronic medical conditions can choose to let the condition define them or control it and make the most of their lives.