CHENEY, Wash. – This season has been a historical one for EWU soccer. As they prepare for their first conference tournament match since 2019, junior defender Becca Gaido reflects on the 2024 regular season.

"I think it has been really uplifting as a whole because I saw it last year. I knew the players on our team were capable of this, and I knew we could do this. We were just not getting the results we thought we deserved. I think this year it just kind of all came together for us. We put in a lot of work in the winter and spring that most people do not see. So it is really nice to see that it paid off, and has been uplifting for everybody," described Gaido.

A Redding, California native, Gaido has had a fantastic season of her own. Playing and starting in all 18 matches this season, the junior defender has been a centerpiece on the defensive end for the Eagles. 

Gaido said she has seen a difference this year with the team. Their playing style is a big reason.

"They put a lot of trust in us to play out of the back, and that just affects all the way up the field. Our forwards are even influencing that, and are being more impactful, like checking in for the back and the ball more. Everyone is working harder for each other off the ball. It is helping everyone else that is on the ball."

After playing in only four matches her freshman year two years ago, Gaido has only missed 13 minutes of action this season, and leads the team in minutes played (1599). However, she says she is not the only one stepping up and playing some big minutes this season.

"I do not think a lot of thought goes into it, especially on my part. There are a bunch of players playing full 90 minutes for the team right now, especially when we get deeper into the season. A bunch of attacking players are playing a lot of minutes and covering a lot of ground. We all put in a lot of work in preseason and throughout the summer. We are really diligent with the summer package and staying fit to come into the season."

College athletics and recruiting can always be tough on a coach and a player. Gaido however, found Eastern Washington and the coaching staff to be a perfect fit for her.

"I just wanted to play soccer and I was brought into what head coach Missy Strasburg was trying to do, and I would say she was probably the one that got me to come here. She seemed very straight forward and up front, and sometimes that is hard to find in college athletics. I just wanted to play."

The back line has played tremendously for the Eagles, as you can even see some of the back end on the attacking front. Gaido has recorded a career high five shots this season, with two of them on goal. 

Gaido said the flexibility of the team and their offense has contributed to a lot of their success this season. 

"A lot of teams are seeing how threatening our offense can be and how productive and unpredictable it is. They start to sit back a little bit, which gives the people in the back a little bit more time on the ball. Our coaches give us the freedom to push up a little bit higher up the field. It is also because we have chemistry now. We know that as a back line we have each other's backs as one of us goes a bit farther up."

It has shown on the pitch as well. Eight different players have recorded at least one goal for the Eagles this season. The team chemistry has been displayed the entire season, especially on the defensive end. Defenders Iris Mattern, Riley Arribas, and goalkeeper Kamryn Willoughby have been able to grow and trust one another as the season has progressed.

"I think we grew a lot in the spring together as the four of us got more and more solidified back there, and we just played a lot together. We did a lot of stuff this year like splitting up the attackers and the defenders at the beginning of practice and doing some drills. I think stuff like that builds a lot of chemistry, and I think the coaches put a lot of trust in us to build out of the back. We put a lot of trust in each other as well, and I think that helped build a good foundation for us."

Gaido said wins are made in the offseason. The spring and winter were super important for the team. What people may forget about however, is the student in the student athlete.

The junior is currently studying Biology Pre-Med. While time management can be tough at times, she can attribute her on and off-field success to the University and the coaching staff for providing the help they need during the academic year. 

"Anyone that wants to do it, can do it. I think you have to be smart with your time, and it is definitely possible. It is challenging especially during the season. During the season the coaches are helping us with proctoring on the road at times. My teachers have been great this year, so that has not been an issue as well. It is really nice when everyone is trying to help you out and help accommodate you which makes it possible."

Eastern Washington soccer will travel to Missoula, Montana for their first conference tournament since 2019. The Eagles will face the #6 seed Portland State (4-8-4) in the conference quarterfinals Wednesday, November 6th at 10:00 am.
 

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ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.

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