Now, players are starting to
commit as they walk on cam-
pus of their freshman year of
high school.
Making a decision when
you are 17 is tough enough.
Making a decision when you
are 14 is even tougher. But,
Gacioch knew this is where
she wanted to play her college
soccer for the next four years.
“For me, my decision to ver-
bally commit to The Ohio
State University so early was
very clear. I’ve known my
entire life that I want to play
soccer at a top division one
level in order to increase my
chance of playing at the next
level after college. I began the
recruiting process in seventh
grade by researching colleges,
their academic offerings,
soccer programs, and coach-
ing staffs. In eighth grade I
attended soccer camps and
clinics at the schools where I
truly strived to be,” stated Ga-
cioch. “The moment I trained
at an Ohio State University ID
Clinic, I knew this was my fu-
ture training ground, and the
coaching staff that I wanted
and needed. It doesn’t hurt ei-
ther that OSU’s athletic train-
ing facility is number one in
the country. I knew what OSU
provided for their female soc-
cer players, and I wanted in.
Academics are also very im-
portant to me, and the OSU
Womens Soccer Program cul-
tivates their scholar-athletes.
OSU’s women’s soccer was
just recognized in the USA
for academic performance
scoring in the top 10 percent
for their ninth NCAA appear-
ance in 10 years.”
While most soccer players
get the love for playing for-
ward and scoring goals (see
Messi and Ronaldo), there are
some great defenders that
have made their mark on the
game.
You can look no further
than Paolo Maldini of an Ales-
sandro Nesta. They changed
the way the game viewed de-
fenders. They were two of the
best defenders to ever suit up
for AC Milan and the Italian
National team. Just this past
World Cup Sara Gama was
named the captain of the Ital-
ians that made it to the quar-
terfinals of the World Cup.
Gacioch loves just playing
her game. She loves being the
one that is able to shutdown
the best player on each team.
JULY 2019 | SportsUnion
She doesn’t need the glory.
Her glory comes when her
team wins - and they pitch a
shutout. That means she did
her job with the rest of her
back line.
“Personally, I love playing
defense. The position is un-
derrated. Without strong de-
fense, goals do not matter. In
order to be a strong defender,
a lot goes in to it. Most of the
time, you are forced to make a
split-second decision. For my-
self, I think some of my stron-
gest assets when it comes to
defending are: my speed, my
quick decision-making, tech-
nical skill, and my vision on
the field. I am an offensive de-
fender. Defenders need to be
smart on the field, they need
to know when it is the prop-
er time to step to the ball. If
you just dive in, the attacker
is simply going to touch the
ball past you and you are go-
ing to be out of the play. This
is where the decision-making
comes in. You need to have the
right mindset to know when
it is the right time to step to-
wards the ball or use your
body on the attacker. Also, as
many know, it is very difficult
to be running backwards, full
19
speed, towards your net with
a forward coming at you,”
explained Gacioch. “This is
where the speed comes in.
Playing in the ECNL (Elite
Club National League), I am
playing against some of the
best forwards in the country,
and these players are fast. In
order to shut them down, I
know that I must be faster
then them. My speed is some-
thing I have worked on since
I was 7 years old, and I am
proud to say I have set records
in Western New York for my
middle school track league.
Field vision is also an import-
ant part of my defending. You
need to know where everyone
is on the field, where they can
move to, and what could hap-
pen in every scenario of that
movement. When I regain the
ball, it is very important that I
keep the ball and release it to
the right player at the right
time. Defending is not easy
and it is often not given its
earned respect in the sport
of soccer. For myself, I know
my speed, vision, and quick
decision-making on the field
is what helps me shut down
attackers. Also, you can never
give up. I never give up.”
The Doug Matteson Courage Award
What defines courage?
There are many things that define courage. Doug Matteson may be the
person that defines courage the most - at least in the eyes of the staff at
Sports Union. This is why Sports Union is looking for nominations for the
Doug Matteson Courage Award.
Matteson lost part of his leg in a horrific accident in Arizona. Instead of
giving up, Matteson perserved and got back on the force. He showed that
even though he went through something that bad, he was still able to get
things done with hard work and never giving up.
Sports Union is looking for those same kind of traits in a high school boy
or girl. Someone who has gone through a lot and still never gave up to
realize their dreams.
Nominations are being sought. To nominate someone for this award,
please send a letter describing how they overcome adversity and became
a better person for it.
The winner will be picked by a committee and the end of the school year.
All nominations are due by the end of May.
Nominations may be sent to
Matthew Ondesko at [email protected]