By Kaity Sample Posted October 14, 2016
Number 10 in the field but number one in our hearts is Ariel Gonzalez, who is also this issue’s Student-Athlete of the Issue.
Gonzalez, who is one of the varsity men’s soccer team captains, is looking to end his senior year successfully. Unfortunately, he has been hampered by a nagging hamstring injury this year. It did not, however, keep him from scoring two goals against South Tahoe last week.
Gonzalez has been the leading scorer on his team for the past three consecutive years. Gonzalez has had an extensive background with soccer, as he has been playing since he was only six years old, when he first started playing AYSO and practicing with his dad in the yard.
“My dad has always been one of my biggest supporters. He always used to practice with me and help me with drills since I first started,” said Gonzalez.
Not only was he influenced by his dad, but his favorite players, whom he looked up to.
“I admire Messi and Ronaldo,” said Gonzalez. “They are great players and show me what I could possibly be and how to improve my skills.”
Gonzalez has also had phenomenal coaching by his side since he first started.
“Also, Ron Espinola has been a big part of my soccer career,” said Gonzalez. “He has been my coach for many years and has taught me a lot of things. He pushed me to be a better player and always be the hardest worker on the field.”
Gonzalez has had so much of his life based around soccer that many of his favorite memories revolve around the sport. His favorite memory on the field was scoring a tying run against South Tahoe, a team that usually knocks Lowry down by multiple goals, to tie the game as a junior.
Although he has been on the field for many hours through the years, he has also spent many hours studying and in the classroom. Gonzalez is a 4.0 student and takes on many AP and Honors courses as well. Gonzalez isn’t sure if he will continue his soccer career at the collegiate level just yet, but he hopes to continue to play in some sort of league wherever he decides to go.
Gonzalez plans on going to medical school to become a cardiothoracic surgeon.