Gonzalez siblings make big contributions to Warriors soccer
By Kyle LoJacono
One is a record-setting scoring machine; the other is a lockdown defender.
One runs through defenders as if they aren’t there and fires bullets past dazed and confused goalkeepers; the other frustrates the opposition’s attack with her positioning and speed that stops scoring chances before any can begin.
One is a senior team captain; the other is a sophomore establishing her leadership skills.
They are Cici and Miranda Gonzalez. The sisters are both major factors in the powerhouse that has become Steinbrenner girls soccer and their differences allow them to make an impact on opposite sides of the field.
Cici, a senior forward, started playing around age 5 with the Black Watch Soccer Club.
“My mom played when she was little, so she got me into it,” Cici said. “I just fell in love with it. I don’t know what it is about it. I don’t think any other sport is as great as soccer.”
Miranda, a sophomore defender, joined the soccer rankings when she turned 5 with the same club after watching her sister developing her passion for the game.
Cici has always played forward or midfield, but Miranda took a roundabout journey toward the backline. She has played all the positions on the field, including goalkeeper.
“I’ve played defense the most and one of my old coaches suggested I play that when I stopped playing goalie,” Miranda said. “He said I played aggressive so I’d be good at it.”
That aggressiveness on the field is one of the traits that separate the sisters.
“She’s just so fast and way more aggressive in ways than I am,” Cici said. “She just throws her body in all the time, and I could never do what she does. I know I couldn’t, and then she says she couldn’t do what I do. I really don’t know how we got so different, but we are definitely different players.”
First-year Warriors coach Robert Woodard saw the sisters’ explosive talent the first time he saw them practice.
“They’re game changers,” Woodard said. “They’re people you can depend on to make a handful of great plays every game.”
Cici said Miranda’s mentality in games is very different from how her younger sister acts off the field.
“I think she’s quieter than I am,” Cici said. “She doesn’t like to draw attention to herself that much, but in the game she’s so different. She’s so quiet and conservative in front of other people, but once she’s in there she goes everywhere and is the exact opposite.”
Miranda said Cici’s personality is consistent, which is probably why she is as effective at piling up goals.
“She never gets down if something doesn’t work,” Miranda said. “She just gets back up and keeps going. She helps me keep going in games with how she is.”
Woodard said both players tend to lead by example, but added Cici has developed into a true team captain throughout this season.
“There were seniors on the team last year that were the leaders, and I can tell you I’m just extremely proud of how Cici has grown into the role of being a captain,” Woodard said. “I’m really pleased with her progress.”
Cici began playing high school ball at Sickles as a freshman, where she busted onto the scene with a team-high 13 goals. She ratcheted things up when Steinbrenner opened two seasons ago, putting up 29 and 33 goals as a sophomore and junior, respectively.
Add another 11 tallies this season and Cici has found the back of the net 86 times while adding 64 assists during her 80 games in high school, more than one goal per contest. Her 73 goals and 60 assists while a Warrior are both program records.
As for Miranda, few opponents have been able to sneak past her while at Steinbrenner.
The Warriors have allowed only 25 goals in their 42 games the last two years, including 27 shutouts. Miranda has also contributed four goals and four assists to the squad’s attack.
Cici said having her sister playing behind her is comforting given Miranda’s ability to lock up offenses.
“It’s really good to have her back there because I trust her so much,” Cici said. “I feel so much safer when she’s playing defense because no one can beat her.”
The Gonzalez combination on opposite sides of the ball helped Steinbrenner capture the Class 4A state championship last year.
“It was awesome,” Miranda said. “Finding her after the game and giving her a big hug. To share that experience was unreal.”
Cici ended the 2010-11 season with 33 goals and 34 assists, the only Hillsborough County player with a 30/30 season. She was named the All-Laker/All-Lutz News girls soccer Player of the Year, but said her contributions offensively wouldn’t have meant a thing without the backline that includes Miranda.
“I think in general defense doesn’t get as much credit as they deserve because everyone wants to know who scored,” Cici said. “I think she definitely deserves credit. I don’t think we would have won states without her.”
The Warriors (12-3-2) close out the regular season by hosting Bloomingdale on Friday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m., followed by the Class 4A-District 8 tournament at Freedom on Jan. 17-20. The 4A-8 championship game is on Friday, Jan. 20.
–All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches
