Piccolo player a global hit after being filmed bravely playing through her tears

A young girl who bravely played her piccolo through streams of tears after her basketball team's defeat has become an instant global star after her tragedy was caught on camera.

The Nova band was playing at the end of a basketball match in which the Villanova Wildcats went down to North Carolina State 71-68, when the cameraman filming the post-match events zoomed in on the piccolo player.

Despite the public arena, the band member bravely puffed away at her instrument while openly weeping, tears streaming down her face.

Her unashamed surrender to her emotions has struck a chord with thousands around the world who have taken to social media to declare they can relate to her struggle.

"I feel bad for that band girl crying during the Villanova game," one user wrote.

"Most people in the band don't care about the game, I appreciate her caring."

"Villanova band girl crying while playing flute is the real mvp," said another.

The girl's image has gone viral and clips of her emotional playing have been watched tens of thousands of times.

Her image has also sparked a debate about what exactly was the instrument she was playing, with some insisting it was a flute.