Courtesy of CSU Athletics
Michaela McGowan, Junior, Midfielder, for the CSU Rams had a great season, finishing the year with six goals, five assists and 22 shots on goal.
This was her first season with the Rams and couldn’t have been a better first year for her showing poise, and being that next girl up to be a leader for the team.
“Everybody has to have resilience especially when you get to tournament time, and the game plan, planning against san diego state was very much a chess match, and you know, they get one shot on goal and they score, and that’s how cruel our sport can be at times, but Michaela showed what she can do and be resilient off the bench.” Said Coach Keeley.
The midfielder showed a lot of grit this year as the Rams started 7-0 on the season before going into a slump losing and tying some games.
Michaela led in assists which gives more fire power to the team because she balances scoring, and making an impact for others to score at a high level. That’s what is most important, a player that can do multiple commodities on the field.
“Whenever I struggled with something mentally or even with school, I really leaned on my teammates and my friends around me, and I feel like that was a huge moment, especially because I have a fear of flying and with my teammates I was able to overcome that so that’s definitely one huge thing I have learned.” Said Michaela McGowan.
Sometimes that’s more important with the sport, being with your teammates, making sure you are 100 percent. It builds chemistry with the team.
Michaela was awarded newcomer all conference this season which entailed this was her first season in this conference and was given the award for her performance.
“I want to say our grit, we were undefeated for seven games, which was incredible and then we fell into a slump but during that I was so proud that our team was able to be positive and didn’t want to give up.” Said Michaela McGowan.
The Junior Midfielder was a big believer to be proud of her teammates whether they played or not. The energy with the team was important and that’s what gave Michaela a drive to be high in assists and to ensure her teammates got the benefit of a doubt.
She always showed how much she cared for the team and the girls around her. Sparks of being a leader, hence McGowan being an upperclass student-athlete, which will show.
“I think despite losing in the first round, I am very proud of our girls, I think everybody gave it their all, like Coach Keeley said games don’t always go your way and that’s a cruel part of soccer. So I am just proud of everyone and the performance they put out there,” said Michaela McGowan.
For how McGowan finished this season, it’s almost certain she still has another year left in her tank to finish strong. Only one season with CSU but had her efforts somewhere else, and that somewhere was Denver University.
The Midfielder spent two years there, her talent was always at a high level for college soccer, and her stats were incredible to see. Third on the team for goals, led the team in assists and had 14 total starts for DU.
This is important going into her senior season next year because her stats are almost identical from DU to CSU. She was 2nd in every other individual stat. Who was first? Olivia Fout, which begs the question, does Michaela have what it takes to be the next girl up for the team and be a strong leader next season? Absolutely.
The stats don’t lie and McGowan could have herself another amazing season for the team as shown in previous years. Consistency is important in sports and the junior midfielder has that in her.