CL’s Gonzales signs with Louisiana College

Mon. February 13, 2012 at 11:10 a.m. | By Teddy Renois/Staff Writer

MATHEWS — Central Lafourche's Kristen Gonzales is using her athletic ability to lead her to a medical career.

Academically, Gonzales, who is a 4.0 student at Central Lafourche, could chose several colleges to attend after high school, but athletically, she only wanted to go to one.

Gonzales wanted to play soccer at Louisiana College, and she made it official when she signed a letter-of-intent with the Division III program located in Pineville on Friday.

Gonzales said Louisiana College coach Bruce Deaton saw her play on her club team (the Lafourche Hurricanes) last summer and that is when her recruiting began.

"When I was playing travel ball, he was at the tournament we were playing," Gonzales said. "Coach Bruce came talked to me, and later he came to the Mandeville Tournament when I was playing for school. He came talked to me after that and he kept showing up."

Gonzales visited Louisiana College during the soccer season, and she was impressed with the school's standards for academics.

"I went visit last year when we went play a tournament up in Alexandria," Gonzales said. "We toured the school and met other players. I've been looking into playing there for awhile. I didn't have no other schools looking at me, just Louisiana College. I'm glad that no other schools looked at me, I really wanted to play there. It is a really good college, and it is small with small classes. They have a high acceptance into medical school, one of the highest in the nation. It is a really good school."

Central Lafourche girls soccer coach Mohamid Hammadi said Gonzales' versatility will help her adjust to playing at the next level. Gonzales played midfielder, forward and sweeper for the Lady Trojans.

"She's been playing for so many years and not only in high school. She has played all year long and that is what has gotten her here," Hammadi said. "She played wherever I needed her. She played all the positions, and she knows college is another level. I know she will do what it takes to make it when she gets there."

Louisiana College just completed its second season under Deaton and is coming off a 2-17 season.

But Gonzales said she expects the program will get better during her time there.

"They are building up their soccer program up there. I think it is just his second year as coach. They are building it up and learning to compete. I'm just very excited," Gonzales said.