Connor Gates '23 Recruiting Profile

While many things have changed for me over the years, the one thing that has not changed at all is my passion for soccer. My parents enrolled me in tot soccer when I was two years old and I've had a soccer ball attached to me ever since. My first travel experience was with the same club for seven years and that developed me as a player. With my head coach/DOC's encouragement, I moved to a new club in 2020 for a higher challenge. Although I think moving teams was one of the most important decisions for me to gain higher competition and test my skills, I know it's my coaches that helped me progress as a player and get to my new team. I was also fortunate to make my state ODP team multiple years and the amazing coaching there also helped me progress. Freshmen year I had a setback with an off season ankle injury, I was able to bounce back, continue my training, and spent the summer training twice daily with a USL 2 GK. That also built my confidence and made me see that a setback is not the end of the story, the comeback is stronger.

I like to work hard and bring full effort to my sport. I'm usually the first to the training field and the last to leave, I train when there is no formal practice, I love this game. Outside of my GK skills, my coaches have described me as "coachable, respectful, talented and fearless". I coach younger GKs and volunteer with TOP Soccer. I am focused both on and off the pitch. I made my high school team as an 8th grader, then won the starting spot as a 9th grader. I maintain an A average GPA and I'd like to focus on a pre-med/a hard sciences major. I would like to consider PA or PT school, or possibly a career in chemistry. I think I'd make a great candidate for your program based on my skills I always seek to improve, my tireless work ethic, my leadership among my peers, and my character...based on a saying I hear everyday in my house: "Be the head and not the tail." Basically, choose the right thing, do the right thing, set the example, and represent your family and your team well.