Shawna Gordon has been enjoying a season hardly comparable to other athletes in her class.
The sophomore has developed into one of the team’s most vocal and skillful leaders on the field. She is only in her second year with the Long Beach State women’s soccer team, but her talent has won her an undisputed spot in the team’s starting 11 and made her the team’s leading goal-scorer.
Last season as a freshman, Gordon started in 16 of 23 games for the 49ers and tallied one goal and two assists. This season, she has started in 15 of 17 games and leads the team with five goals and five assists.
LBSU head coach Mauricio Ingrassia acknowledged her development on the field.
“[She] did a lot of growth in the spring,” Ingrassia said. “She’s done a tremendous job since her freshman year.”
Gordon is one of three captains on the team that saw various changes since last year. This season’s team features 18 newcomers — 13 freshmen and five transfers — with only 12 returners.
“It makes me feel pretty good. Last year, my role was not even close to anything I’m doing now,” Gordon said. “I was more reserved as a player. Now I feel like I’m one of [last year’s captains] trying to lead all the players.”
During a scrimmage against a semi-professional team, Gordon proved to be one of the best players on the squad. But the match also revealed her to be a leader on the field, which prompted Ingrassia to make her a captain this season.
“I pushed it on her because we needed somebody [like her],” Ingrassia said. “She definitely has the soccer savvy to lead us on the field and she really developed to be an older player off the field.”
But just like any athlete, her road involved years of dedication and work for the sport.
Gordon started playing soccer as a 4-year-old. She moved on to club soccer when she was 8, joining the Arsenal Club team where she played with current 49er teammates Bo Rael and Janet Mendez. She also participated in regional and Olympic Development Program teams, winning the ODP national title in 2006.
Her participation in ODP training camps led her to play for the United States Women’s National Team at the U-17 and U-20 levels.
Before joining LBSU, Gordon scored and had an assist on a trip to Argentina and Uruguay with the U-17 squad. Most recently, she was invited to U-20 National Team camp in 2008.
“I went to U-20 camp during the summer, which was unexpected,” Gordon said. “Usually, you get a call months in advance to prepare yourself and I got a call that day, so it was good.”
Although The Beach (5-9-3) is having a rough season, she thanks coach Ingrassia for her development, along with the development of the program. Last year, the 49ers earned their first-ever NCAA Tournament bid, and she believes the program will continue to grow.
“The record doesn’t really show how well we’ve played. [Ingrassia] has brought the program along very well,” Gordon said. “Nobody would have really known who Long Beach State was maybe a couple of years ago, but now, I think we have a name for ourselves.”
With two matches remaining, tonight’s 7 p.m. match at UC Irvine is more of a formality.
Gordon is looking forward to continuing the team’s reconstruction next season.
“I feel really good,” Gordon said. “I think we’ve made our own identity with all the new players coming in and all the returners. I’m really excited for next year.”