OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 16, 2020) – In her freshman season with Oklahoma Christian's women's soccer team, Gabby Goddard quickly earned the starting goalkeeper position, needing only the first few weeks of preseason to secure the job.
 
Her work ethic and talent led her to record 124 saves in her first year with the Eagles – a statistic which topped the Lone Star Conference and placed her in the top 20 in NCAA Division II.
 
For Goddard, each save – all 124 – brings a thrill and ignites her passion for the game of soccer.
 
"Goalies are always sliding, jumping and risking their bodies to stop the ball and that is what excites me so much," Goddard said. "The thrill of the save is a high that no field player gets to experience." 
 
Goddard's work ethic also stands out to her teammates, including sophomore Carson Hazel, as a quality which makes her a good leader, a good goalkeeper and someone they aspire to emulate.
 
"Gabby has an amazing work ethic and her energy is contagious," Hazel said. "She pushes herself and others to do their best in practices, games and anything else you could imagine."
 
Goddard grew up in the small town of Tuttle, population about 7,000, lies about a 40-minute drive from downtown Oklahoma City. Her high school did not have soccer, so she played basketball there and played soccer for South Lakes Soccer Club's Cosmos '01 Girls Elite.
 
"It stunk because I wanted to make my hometown proud, but I only felt that pride through my club team," Goddard said. "Now I'm able to represent a Christian university and it's the best thing ever."
 
After graduating from high school, Goddard said it was her dream to play soccer for a Christian university, so when OC recruited her, she made the easy decision to stay close to home and play soccer for the Eagles.
 
"I love the community of a small and Christ-centered campus," Goddard said. "I wanted to play at a place where my faith was challenged even more than my athletic ability."
 
Goddard, a sophomore this season, has begun nursing school and recently joined a social service club on campus. She said she thrives in the spiritual support provided by the professors, students and her teammates on campus.
 
"My favorite part is I'm not limited to just being a student-athlete," Goddard said. "It's impossible not to feel the love and support from fellow believers on this campus. Even when I'm hard at work physically, I know I have a strong body of Christ encouraging my spiritual growth as well."
 
For Hazel, Goddard represents an example of a strong believer on the team who supports her teammates' growth physically and spiritually.
 
"Gabby always has a positive attitude and is encouraging to all her teammates," Hazel said. "She lifts people up when they are having an off day and is always there for you whenever you need it."
 
With this season currently postponed for the Eagles soccer team, Goddard has stayed motivated by keeping her passion for the game and her love for her teammates in the forefront of her mind. With her perspective on positivity, she said she looks forward to hopefully getting to play in the spring.
 
"I love soccer as a sport because it gives me a sense of self-discipline and a passion to improve my body and mind," Goddard said. "I love it also because the group of girls that are my team are people that I am close to and that encourage and uplift me in everything in so many ways.

"I've just focused on the fact that I'm given four seasons to play soccer. This year looks different, but there's still a possibility to play in the spring and I'm ready to take advantage of it and put my hard work to use."