Neuqua Valley freshman midfielder Gabe Smith credits her love of soccer to her older sister, Belle.
That’s not the only thing Smith’s sister gave her.
Smith’s given name is Gabrielle, but she answers to Gabe.
“It was a name that my sister called me when I was little, and it just stuck,” Smith said.
Smith looked up to her sister, who is three years older, and that informed her choice of extracurricular activities.
“As a kid, I just did whatever my sister did,” Smith said. “So she was playing soccer and doing dance. I wanted to play soccer and do dance to be just like her. But we actually went our separate ways. She chose dance, and I chose soccer.”
Both are excelling. Belle Smith is a member of Neuqua Valley’s prestigious Orchesis dance company.
Meanwhile, Gabe Smith made a sensational high school soccer debut, scoring four goals in the Wildcats’ season-opening 5-2 win against Plainfield Central.
Neuqua Valley’s Gabe Smith (20) and Batavia’s Emma Stoodley go for the ball during a game in Naperville on Saturday, April 6, 2024. (James C. Svehla / Naperville Sun)
While nobody predicted such an outburst, Neuqua Valley (2-3) wasn’t exactly stunned.
“We saw some potential in her, but once we started seeing her in practice, we were like, ‘Wow, there is more than just potential,’” Neuqua Valley coach Arnoldo Gonzalez said.
“With the freshmen, you’re always hesitant. You know they’re a diamond in the rough, as they say, but are they going to get that starting position? But right off the bat, she’s a starter, and she has shown that she does deserve to be out there.”
Smith’s impact has been immediate and goes far beyond goal-scoring. That’s especially important for a team like Neuqua Valley that has six freshmen, four of whom start.
“I know we often look at goals and look at stats, right?” Gonzalez said. “But you also need to look at other things which happen on the field, and if you just look at her defensive runs, her offensive runs, how she makes herself available for teammates, she just makes everybody around her better.”
That’s a key attribute of the best players and is rarely seen in someone so young. But senior defender Lauren Milani attests to Smith’s intangibles.
“She definitely brings a lot of energy,” Milani said. “In practice and games, she always shows up, and she’s always ready to go. She’s always uplifting other people, always pushing them to do their best.”
Milani, a four-year varsity player, knows what it’s like to play on varsity as a freshman, so she made sure the rookies were quickly integrated into the team.
“I know it can be super intimidating, but I feel like we’re a very welcoming team, and I think our freshmen have already formed bonds and friendships with the upperclassmen,” Milani said. “Off the field, we’re all pretty close.”
Smith said that has quickly built team chemistry.
“We have pasta parties every week, and we had a team sleepover,” Smith said. “After every game, we go to McAllister’s and sit and talk. So I think doing that builds a better unity within the team.”
That encouraged Smith to be more vocal than most rookies.
“We’ve been able to talk to each other and trust each other on the field,” she said. “They know that when I talk to them it’s nothing personal. I’m just trying to help them out.”
Milani said Smith and the freshmen have definitely helped the Wildcats.
“We knew she was going to be a key player,” Milani said. “I know her talents and what she can do, and obviously she’s amazing.
“That goes for all our freshmen. They all have a lot of good, key factors that they can bring to the team and help everyone reach their full potential.”
Smith’s potential is high.
“She’s just doing a great job,” Gonzalez said. “Her soccer IQ is up there, and her skills are unbelievable, so I do think she has a very, very bright future.”
Neuqua Valley’s Gabe Smith (20) challenges Batavia’s Alexa Schorr for the ball during a game in Naperville on Saturday, April 6, 2024. (James C. Svehla / Naperville Sun)
Smith sees her field vision as her greatest strength at the moment, while her leadership skills are also solid. It’s still early, but she does want to play in college and is excited to be in a high school program that has produced six pro soccer players.
“I’m definitely trying to leave my mark at Neuqua,” Smith said. “It’s fun to play for a school that so many great athletes have played for before.
“There’s just been so many great people who have come through this and that are at Neuqua right now. So I think it’s fun to build relationships with upperclassmen and connect with people on the field.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
