On Field Or Off, East Valley’s Escobar Knows How To Communicate

Good communication, says East Valley soccer player Gabe Escobar, is the reason the Knights are currently undefeated in the Frontier League.

“It’s been the communication between me and sweeper Randy Pratt,” Escobar said. “We’re the last line of defense and can see the whole field. If someone is not doing the job, I relay information to Randy and he spreads the word.”

Communication is something Escobar knows about. He and classmate Staci Haye teamed on a national qualifying Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) project in the public relations category.

They wrote a 26-page manual and gave a verbal presentation describing the club’s joint “Nightmare on Mall Street” venture with West Valley, an annual Halloween youth activity at University City Shopping Center.

“We make games like beanbag toss and miniature golf and give out candy,” said Escobar. “It’s a safe alternative for youngsters.

Escobar and Haye finished third in state to qualify for nationals next week at Disneyland.

“Manuals are a lot of work,” said DECA instructor John Savage. “There’s a minimum of 50 to 75 hours on the thing. Qualifying for nationals is no fluke.”

But Haye must go it alone. Soccer comes first for Escobar.

“It was a big decision,” he said. “With the people we had back, I felt I owed it to myself and the team rather than miss three games.”

Savage understands. “I respect him for that. At least he’s making a commitment.”

After winning the Frontier League for the first time last year, but failing to qualify for state after three straight trips, Escobar and the Knights committed themselves this year to both win league and reach state.

Goalkeeper was coach Jim Spencer’s major concern, but Escobar said he wanted a full-time chance in this, his senior season.

He had played midfield and been backup keeper for the Knights and was goalie on his premier team. Last year, in goal for the first round of the Frontier playoffs, Escobar dislocated his shoulder midway through the first half and EV’s state bid went awry.

Cheney had a penalty kick and Escobar was familiar with the player.

“I knew which way he was going,” he said. “The ball jolted my arm and the shoulder popped out of place.”

It was the third time the injury had occurred, first in the sixth grade and again in practice as a freshman.

Freshman year 1994 was special because Escobar got to play with his brother, Jamie, who was a senior.

“There has been an Escobar in the lineup for seven years consecutively,” said Spencer. “Jamie was offensive MVP and Gabe came in as freshman support.”

Jamie, said Gabe, is his role model and personal trainer. The two used to practice together, launching shots as they took turns in goal. It was there that Jamie saw Gabe’s potential.

“I was only nervous one game in my life and it was the first game with my brother,” Gabe said. “I didn’t want to let him down.”

Otherwise the better the competition, the more he enjoys playing and he hasn’t let the Knights down so far this year. Through nine games, EV has six shutouts and Escobar has allowed just four scores.

“Last year my aim was to give up 15 goals and I allowed 14,” he said. “This year my goal is to give up no more than 10. I just want our team to have the best record possible.”

Spencer gives plenty of credit to Escobar for EV’s current perfect mark while praying he stays healthy.

“He’s the key to this team and I knew it would be,” Spencer said. “Gabe’s been durable. I hope it continues.”

The Knights’ ability to communicate depends on it.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo