Gabby Lecuona
Heading into her senior season in girls soccer, Chambersburg’s Gabby Lecuona wanted to have a big decision behind her before school started.
So in early August, Lecuona committed to joining the program at Robert Morris University next fall. She will sign her official letter of intent later this fall.
“There’s less pressure now,” she said. “I didn’t want to wait any longer.”
Robert Morris is a Division I school located in Moon, a suburb of Pittsburgh. The Colonials, who were 6-11 last year, compete in the Northeast Conference.
“I like the campus and I definitely like being near the city,” Lecuona said. “I like the coach and the girls I met were nice.”
Lecuona said she considered a couple of other D-1 schools, including James Madison and High Point, and Div. II schools Millersville, Clarion, Shepherd and Florida Southern.
“I was originally thinking Division II, but the Robert Morris coach (John Kowalski, with the Colonials since 2001) showed some interest and came out to watch me play a lot. He said I’d fit well with the team, because of my speed and how I distribute the ball.”
Trojan coach Ed Franchi said, “Gabby’s speed is her most obvious positive thing. She’s willing to go 1-on-1 and has good finishing skills. She is hard to knock off the ball and she can find the back of the net.
“Another asset is that, although she’s predominately left-footed and has a rocket of a left-footed shot, she can hit it pretty hard with her right foot, too. And she’s improved at moving off the ball.”
Lecuona said she’s excited for her senior season because Chambersburg has a chance to have a fine season. But she knows she must work on some things before next fall rolls around.
“I can sprint, but I know I have to work on my endurance,” she said. “And I have to have a better first touch before I shoot.”
She’s got a whole year to work on that before becoming a Colonial.