Gore no longer under the radar
WESTMINSTER — Abbey Gore is used to operating under the radar.
As a defensive player on the pitch since she could first kick a soccer ball, Gore's contributions are often overlooked my most.
It was that way at Knoch, where she was a standout defender for the Knights.
It's not quite that way at Westminster College, where the freshman and Renfrew native was recently recognized as the Presidents' Athletic Conference Defensive Player/Goalkeeper of the Week.
“I was completely shocked,” Gore said. “It's such a blessing to me because playing defense, its such a position where you are the unsung hero and never get a lot of attention.”
Gore is getting attention now.
She cracked the starting lineup on a Westminster team that is 7-2 and has won five straight games.
And she's contributing to a defense that has surrendered a mere seven goals this season.
Westminster College women's soccer coach Girish Thakar hasn't been surprised with her impact.
“She came in with a good high school and club background,” Thakar said. “She's a very intelligent defender. She makes good decisions and she can win the ball well in one-on-one situations. The key is how smart she plays.”
That comes from years of experience with the Northern Steel Soccer Club, she said.
“They really prepared me well for this,” Gore said. “I got to go to places like Las Vegas and play against girls twice as fast and twice as strong.”
That's still the case in college. But Gore is holding her own — and she's determined to get quicker and stronger through an off-season program she plans to take on like she takes on the opponent: head on.
“That's the thing. She's smart already,” Thakar said. “The speed and strength will come as she gets older. She'll get stronger playing here at the next level. She can only get better.”
Gore, though, nearly didn't go to Westminster.Edinboro, Geneva and Grove City were also interested in Gore.But one morning she awoke and her choice came to her like an epiphany.“I woke up and thought I love the school, I love the academics and the team was a hard-working team,” Gore said. “I decided I wanted to be a part of that. And I've never regretted the decision once.”Gore, though, had no expectations on how much she would play.When she saw her name in the starting lineup for the season opener, that's when she said she knew she belonged.“I had high hopes and I pushed myself during the preseason to show I deserved to play,” Gore said. “When I was in the starting lineup — I needed that for my confidence. It showed that all that hard work paid off.”Gore, though, still sometimes gets overly amped for games.“I need to calm down a little,” Gore said, laughing. “I need to just play my game, not worry about making mistakes. You want to perform for your teammates and yourself so badly, you get nervous. I just have to take a breath before ever game.”The Titans can certainly breathe easier with Gore patrolling the defensive end.A month into her college career, she's already been noticed by her teammates, coach and the conference.“I know I can do this,” Gore said. “I know I deserve this.”
