Whether pressuring an opponent, running up to score or back to defend, Elhofy zooms across the field. But this isn’t a big game. This is how Gabriel Elhofy, a senior, practices and how he found himself committed to playing Division III soccer for Wesleyan University.
Elhofy developed a love for soccer the moment he started playing. While he tried other sports, soccer stuck. His love for soccer from such a young age contributed to his decision to play at the collegiate level.
“I did club soccer from a very young age, and found joy in trying to improve myself,” Elhofy said. “Soccer is the center of my life. A big life decision like committing is centered around soccer.”
Elhofy didn’t just become ambitious or driven to play soccer at the collegiate level senior year. His focus began freshman year when he began reaching out to recruiters.
“I’ve sent so many emails to coaches and put in so much time towards this. Whether that’s going to practice or trainingon my own,” Elhofy said. “My goal has been to play college soccer since freshman year so I’ve committed time since freshman year trying to do that.”
His hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed. Elhofy’s energy on and off the field motivates his teammates to improve with him.
“I’ve played with him for 12 years for both high school and club and I feel that he was the person for me to challenge myself,” Luca Miranda, a senior, said. “I haven’t seen him freak out or get nervous when he’s close to the goal. He won’t freak out and send it wide, but finish it. Being calm in those moments is really important as a player.”
For Elhofy, learning and growing do not only apply to soccer. Strong academics and taking rigorous classes guided him to attend Wesleyan.
“I think people sometimes forget about the effect an environment can have,” Elhofy said. “For me, my standards were always higher, and Jones helped keep that standard high.”
Elhofy initially wanted to attend a Division I university. But when Wesleyan contacted Elhofy the coach developed a connection that Division I coaches did not have.
“When you’re going to a school you want the coach that you have to be interested in you as a person, not just as the player,” Elhofy said. “At Wesleyan they’re not going to replace me. I’m going to build a connection with the coach that a lot of DI players may not have.”
Elhofy continues to prepare to play soccer at the next level as he continues to adapt to new challenges. His teammates know he can grow and adapt at any level.
“For high schoolhe played midfield,butfor club he was playing striker,” Miranda said. “Even thoughhe may not be used to it, he adapts to the bestofhis ability.”
As Elhofy gearsup to begin playing for Wesleyan next yearhe already has some goals in mind tonot only shape himself into a better player but to also shape his new team.
“At Wesleyan I’m there to build,” Elhofy said. “I’m going to build a community with the people that I’m surrounded by. Soccer has taught me how to use motivation to create a growth mindset and know mistakes are okay and that it’s encouraging.”
