(by Donnie Meador)
Allen County-Scottsville High School senior Gabby Garcia will carry her soccer skills to Brescia University. Garcia inked with the Owensboro school Monday afternoon at the high school.
Garcia is quick to note that Brescia is a good fit for her, given her skills, faith, and desire to grow as a student and athlete.
“Brescia is the first college that acknowledged my personal soccer experiences and reached out to me,” Garcia said. “It is also where my faith belongs since I’m Catholic. I want to center my life around my faith. Brescia is about an hour and 30 minutes away so I can come home on weekends and my family can come watch me play a game.”
Garcia started on the pitch at a very young age. She would develop her skills in club soccer and through the up-and-coming soccer programs at the James E. Bazzell Middle School and Allen County-Scottsville High School.
“When I was three or four years old, I started playing,” Garcia added. “My first memory was just kicking the ball around and not taking anything serious.”
Garcia noted that soccer has been its own teacher throughout the years. Now, she is excited for the opportunity to interact with a new team and further develop as a soccer player.
“Playing soccer has taught me leadership and how to work with different players combining my skills with their skills,” Garcia explained. “I just want to continue to improve my skills, my foot work, and learn from a different perspective.”
Garcia has been a member of the high school program since its inception as a varsity sport in 2022. The striker has appeared in 71 games and scored 72 goals. Garcia also recorded 14 assists as a Lady Patriot.
Allen County-Scottsville High School athletic director Brad Hood reflected on watching Garcia play over the last few years.
“Being the AD the last two years, I’ve seen our girl’s soccer program grow and become competitive,” Hood pointed out. “A lot of the reason for the growth was because of young ladies like Gabby. She has put her heart and soul into our soccer program. We are super, super proud of her.”
Brescia is an NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) school coming off an 11-6-1 season last fall. The Bearcats are coached by Andy Hines.
Garcia is the 17-year-old daughter of April Garcia and Jonathan Garcia.