Gabriella Ross '21 Recruiting Profile

I hadn't fully realized that soccer was my sport until I couldn’t play it. I was in a freak accident and tore both my ACL, MCL, and had meniscus damage. I needed ACL surgery and couldn't even touch a soccer ball for nine months.  They were the longest nine months of my life. First, I was slowly able to walk, then jog, then run, and even practice a few sports such as horseback riding, ice skating, and skateboarding, but soccer wasn't allowed. My life felt incomplete, and I couldn't understand why.

When I went to my first soccer practice it hit me. Soccer was, and always will be, a huge part of my life. A few months into my rehab I was given the opportunity to be the head coach of a middle school’s boys soccer team.  Being the one behind the scenes making all the drills, watching them play every game, and teaching them how to understand soccer really helped me understand the sport on a new level. I was able to really connect with the kids and the sport, and we had a great season (winning silver). Though having my surgery was a major setback, I am determined to do anything it takes to play college level soccer. Soccer is a part of my life I'm not willing to give up, and I will do everything I can to make it as far as I can with the sport.