Teammate and teacher
Abby Goss is in an unfamiliar position.
Preparing for Friday’s regular-season soccer finale with North Central, University was not assured a spot in the playoffs. In Goss’ first three seasons with the Titans, postseason play was assured long before the regular-season finale.
Sitting one game behind Ferris with one game left to play, the Titans needed to beat North Central and have the Saxons lose in regulation to East Valley to force a one-game playoff with Ferris today at Mead – with the winner earning the No. 6 seed.
“This is really strange,” she said. “The playoffs were always a foregone conclusion before. I still don’t think it’s sunk in yet that this could be my last game. We’ll just have to go out and make sure we do our job against North Central and then hope.”
The irony of the situation isn’t lost on Goss. The Titans could have given themselves a shot at winning a playoff berth outright with a win at East Valley on Wednesday. But the Class 3A playoff-bound Knights scored a pair of goals in the first seven minutes and held on for a 2-1 victory. The moment that game ended, Goss and her teammates turned into big East Valley rooters – needing them to knock off Ferris in their regular-season finale.
When the playoffs are on the line, you take help where you find it.
A midfielder, Goss has enjoyed a stellar career with the Titans, earning her share of All-Greater Spokane League honors along the way – feeding such standout forwards as Tonya Schnibbe, now playing Division I college basketball at Weber State, and Rachel Lopez, now a soccer standout at North Idaho.
“We always had senior-dominated, veteran teams in the past,” Goss said. “But when I was a freshman, they went out of their way to make me feel welcome and a part of the team. The team was what was important, not what class you were in.”
Now a team captain, Goss has worked hard with a young, talented U-Hi squad. Her goal: to leave this year’s large freshman class with the traditions instilled in her by the senior class that indoctrinated her.
“I played varsity as a freshman, so I know what this year’s freshman class is going through,” the four-year starter explained. “We’ve done a lot of team-building things together so that we can make them feel a part of this program. I want to pass on the pride in this program that those seniors passed on to me.”
This year’s freshman class is vital to the future of the U-Hi program. For the first time in years, the Titans are young and talented.
Still, there is a steep learning curve to playing varsity soccer in the GSL. Freshman soccer is the equivalent of playing U-14 club soccer. The varsity game is like playing U-18, meaning a freshman starter is playing up two levels.
“That’s really true,” Goss said. “This is much more of a physical game, and you have to get used to it. You kind of have to grow into it a little.
“Before, we could just push the ball forward and count on someone like Tonya or Rachel to score. This year we have to really scrape and fight for every score.”
Goss learned to handle the big step up quickly, despite being one of the smallest players on her squad. She makes up for her lack of size by being fearless and cat-quick.
“I’ve never really thought about my size on the field,” she said. “I don’t really think about how much bigger an opponent is, I just play the game.”
Playing the game is what matters most to Goss, and it’s played a major role in her life. One has only to see her face as she crosses the sideline and checks into the game to see how much she loves playing the game. It literally radiates from her face.
“I do love playing this game,” she laughed. “I guess it’s pretty obvious. I think being on the field is my favorite place to be in the world. I love it. I love the competition, I love working with my teammates. It’s been a big part of my life for a long, long time.”
Looking forward, she said, she would love to keep soccer in her life, but choosing a soccer program in which to continue her career is less important than finding the right school in which to continue her education.
“That’s the most important thing,” she said. “I really don’t want to get locked into only going to a school that wants me to play soccer. As much as I would like to play that level of soccer, I want to make sure I choose the right school and get my education.
“Even if that means walking on somewhere. Nothing is set in stone at this point.”