Matthew Gonzalez, the varsity girls lacrosse coach, has taken on the job of coaching the girls’ varsity soccer team. Coach Gonzalez is most notable for his team’s win in the PSAL girls’ varsity lacrosse championship this past season.

     Captain of the soccer team, Georgia Howell, feels that Mr. Gonzalez is very organized and cares about the team and the progress they make. Howell has played under three different coaches in four years. “I did not believe we could build as a team because every year there was different coach. Mr. Gonzalez sees the team as equals, takes charge at practices and games, and is dedicated to the team,” said Howell.   

Mr. Gonzalez started coaching lacrosse 11 years ago. He decided to become a coach because many students in his physical education class approached him about starting a girls lacrosse team. He was motivated, so he started the team.

     He found out in May, after the girls lacrosse season was over, that he would be coaching the girls soccer team instead of the bowling team.

     Gonzalez said that bowling practice was completely different than soccer practice.  “We don’t have to worry about the elements and there are a lot less people,” said Gonzalez.

  He is ready for a change though, “Coaching the girls’ soccer team will be an exciting challenge. I want our team to continue to get better and compete with the top teams on Staten Island,” said Gonzalez. The dedication of both the soccer and lacrosse players is why Mr. Gonzalez enjoys coaching.

During the previous girls lacrosse seasons, Gonzalez has lost many seniors but was always excited to learn what the new athletes had to offer. He feels the same about the soccer team.

Although he will be losing a few great players, the players coming in will fill next year’s roster. As his first year coaching soccer, Gonzalez is learning new skills. He ended the season with a lose but believes that next season will bring many wins.