Alma soccer standout Yoseline Gonazlez plays through injuries
By Kevin Taylor
Alma Schools
Back in 2020, as lightning-quick Yoseline Gonzalez was beginning to find her way on the soccer field, the world was interrupted by COVID.
Suffice it to say, the Alma Lady Airedales may have set the standard for excellence that year. At the time of the medical shutdown, the Lady Airedales were 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the 5A-West and had outscored their seven opponents 16-3.
Six years later, Yoseline Gonzalez is still quick. And stubborn. And tough as her older brothers, Mario and Carlos, too.
And, for it’s far too early to predict the next few weeks, the Alma Lady Airedales have a legitimate shot at earning their first-ever post-season berth.
“I think we just have to lock in,” Gonzalez said. “I think we’re more than capable of it, even though we’re in a tough conference. But that doesn’t mean anything. I believe what we need to do is keep our heads up. Once (opposing teams) get one or two goals on us, a lot of them start to fall apart. It’s tough to stay together on the field, especially because everyone is going to make mistakes, and it is a very young team.”
Back in 2020, Mario Gonzalez Sr. had been picked to coach her seventh-grade team. Then COVID set everyone back, including the young Alma program.
“We had two or three practices before COVID,” she said. “Then in eighth grade, I was on the travel team for them, and there was a coach (Rony Vallejo) who taught me a lot of what I know now.”
The girl everyone calls ‘Yos’ is among four seniors on coach Macy Ayulo’s squad (Alyysa Adams, Myia House, and Maia Moja are the others).
Gonzalez, who also runs track when her soccer schedule allows for it, grew up in a sports-crazy family where daily schedules were built around practice schedules and games.
Her older brothers, Mario and Carlos, were instrumental in her athletic choices, including her dad, Mario Sr.
It wasn’t always just about soccer, either.
“It means a lot staying active for me,” Gonzalez said. “Growing up in my family, everyone’s competitive in every way. My dad used to play soccer; he pushed that on to us from a very early age.
“I started doing that when I was three. It’s always been a little side thing to ensure we stayed active somehow.”
Gonzalez may be tougher than her older brothers, Alma boys coach Cory Sturdivant said.
“She’s matured a lot, not just as a player by as a person,” Studivant said. “Of the three, she’s probably the most athletic. At times, she can be tougher than Carlos. She’s one of my favorites.
“It will be another sad Senior Night when she’s announced.”
“Both of my older brothers grew up here, and they set a high standard,” Gonzalez said. “My oldest brother, Mario, was good at football, and he was good at soccer. My other older brother, Carlos, was really good at football, too. I just have to live up to their expectations, and to the school, too.
"A lot of people know them and what they did for athletics.”
Bloody sock
Two weeks ago, Gonzalez played through a bloody sock. Then, against van Buren (April 1), she broke a toe. “I got stepped on really hard,” she said.
There was no immediate timeline for her return.
But, for those who have played with her and coached her, keeping No. 3 on the sideline won’t be easy.
“I think it was our game against Russellville. I was running faster than I should have been because I was running straight at a girl, and I tried stopping really quickly to move out of her way. I don’t know what happened to that toe, but it’s awful (to look at.”
There are other wounds, too.
“I don’t know what’s wrong with my right foot, but it’s always bleeding,” Gonzalez said. “You just have to work through it. One thing you need in this sport is your feet.
“I just have to tape it up good and take some painkillers, and I’ll be fine."
“It wouldn’t surprise me if she finds a way to be back on the field next game,” Sturdivant said.
The broken toe wasn’t her first sports-related injury, either.
“I used to run the 300 hurdles, but that became tough because last year I broke my patella, so it’s harder on my hips,” she said. “Right now they have me in the 4x200 with Vivian (Beneux), Zoye (Wofford), and Ah Lea (Henson).”
Coaches view
Ayulo believes Gonzalez has the grit of an all-state player. She told her as much before the season.
“I thought she would have a great year, and this year, being her senior year, I’ve really pushed her to become an all-state player,” Ayulo said. “She’s trying to live up to it.”
Ayula paused. Then closed her coach's door.
“I told her, ‘It’s your senior year and you have to show up for your team.’ I talked to her about what her goal is for the end of the year,” Ayulo said. “I told her her goal should be to get on that all-state banner. She told me after that conversation that it’s her senior year, that she’s not to play after this year, and that really wants a shot for her team.”
“She knows how to coach; she can see the potential in us. She was my coach as a freshman; she really grew up with us. It’s tough getting yelled at by a coach, but she’s just really pushing you to get better.”
Gonzalez said he greatly admires Ayulo for all she’s been through off the field, too. Last year, she lost her fiancé.
“She’s been through a lot, and she was still able to get back at it and still be present in practice,” Gonzalez said. “It takes a good coach to be able to do that. Her work ethic, I love it.”
Gonzalez first met Sturdivant when he was coaching brothers.
“I got to know him when Mario got started in soccer,” she said. “I got to meet him in seventh grade. I kind of grew up with him, too. He saw the potential in me. He’s more of a father figure.”
Bright future
Playing in the 5A-West is made harder by the fact that there are larger schools by classification (Russellville, Van Buren, Greenwood, Siloam Springs, and Mountain Home).
That said, the Lady Airedales boast a strong group of freshmen and sophomores.
“They have a lot of potential,” Gonzalez said. “Kali (Wasson) has had some great saves as goal goalkeeper. Watching her from off-season to now, it’s a huge difference. Jasmin (Martin) has also been insane. She knows that game, and that’s what you need. She knows the skill work and the speed and how to work with your team.
“It feels good to have someone else who understands the game.”