Gabriella Watson '25 Recruiting Profile

I have always considered myself to be a well-rounded athlete and enjoy playing multiple sports, but soccer has always been my passion and primary sport. Early in my career, I realized that I am a natural leader and love the mental and physical challenge of being goalkeeper. Playing collegiate soccer has always been my goal, and I work hard every day towards that goal.

As goalkeeper, I am the leader of my team, and I feel that I play the hardest position on the field. I train hard to be successful, both on and off the pitch. I have to keep my team organized, whether calling out marks on corner kicks or setting up my defenders. I have great vision and distribute the ball quickly and accurately to my teammates to start the offense. I am tall and can out jump forwards to get to the ball. I am fast and strong, and can cover the goalmouth and recover quickly.

I work daily to get stronger and faster. I have good reflexes fast feet. I love challenging and winning 1v1s.  I can punt the ball past midfield and throw to the center circle. I am developing a better side volley, which will be useful since Kansas is always super windy and punts get hung up in the wind!

As for school, I take honors classes, study hard and earn a high GPA. As a freshman, I played basketball, varsity golf, and JV soccer. I was the backup goalkeeper on the Varsity team, which continued on through Junior year. I look forward to starting as a Senior. For college, I would like to study either Architecture or Interior Design while playing soccer.

I feel like I’m talking all about me, but I really am selfless, waiting in the box for my moment to shine. My coach once told me “an average goalkeeper can bring a great team down, but a great goalkeeper can make an average team great.” I like to think that I am that great goalkeeper who can help the team around me rise up to win!