Gabby

Oh how I felt robbed when Gabby got injured in the first game this year.  I was looking forward to watching her play all year long.  After watching her for the first time you just had to go "wow."

I've heard many great things about her.  Some saying she is one of the best freshman they can remember watching.

She is so smooth.  She is so relaxed and composed.  I bet she could salsa dance with the ball at her feet and make it look easy and natural as she weaves in and out of the opposing team while bringing the ball up the field.  She is also a leader.  She is going to be really good.  I'd be surprised if she wasn't an All-American by the time she graduates.   

I have a lot of respect for her and was always impressed by how involved she remained while injured.  You could always tell how much it mattered to her and how supportive she was of the team.  

I wish I got to watch her play more.  Thankfully I saw some of her playing in the spring at practice.  She is someone who you trusted with the ball.  If I was a goalkeeper, I'd find her. 

Once Gabby tricked a goalkeeper (I wonder who...) into giving her the ball when she was actually not on the keepers team.  A little bit of a street move.  The keeper clearly had a big mental lapse when they gave her the ball.  However, the keeper was really determined not to let her score after that and I remember that keeper taking a goal away from her after that, which got her a little mad. 

I don't know how to explain this, and I have an example I won't share, but I think of Gabby as someone who is very "socially aware."  I think she is skilled at dealing with people.  She has social intelligence.  I think this might be related to the cool, calm, and composed demeanor that she has on the field.    

Gabby's parents gave me an awesome first impression.  They came up to me and told me how much what I did was appreciated.  They had great things to say and were nice to talk to.

The first time I ever saw Gabby was before she ever got here.  She was on a tour and I was in the office.  I have a habit of saying goodbye to people before I leave.  Right as I was about to leave a player walked in and spoke to our assistant coach.  I didn't want to bother them so I just waited patiently until they left.  10 minutes later they hadn't gotten out of coaches office, so I still patiently waited.  Then Gabby and her parents came for a visit.  I was waiting to say goodbye for the weekend and then got caught in the visit.  I ended up staying in the office about an hour or two more than I was planning too all because I wanted to say goodbye to our coach for the weekend.  

Gabby is a nice person and I think her parents are wonderful.  She is a gifted player and athlete and I look forward to watching her play, as a fan, in the years to come.