Soccer is big in the family of Gabriella “Gabby” Dover whose mother grew up playing in the streets of Brazil, where her grandfather played semi-pro futbol, and where many of her relatives still reside.

“I grew up watching my older sister Isabella play and I looked up to her and my grandfather who is always giving me tips and encouragement,” said the Hilldale junior who started playing soccer at the age of four.

“Gabby is our team captain and one of the most levelheaded girls we have,” said girls soccer coach Michael Foreman. “She’s always cool in the clutch and never gets rattled. She’s got phenomenal ball skills and field vision. She leads by example, is well respected by the other girls, and when she speaks the kids listen.”

After playing a holding position at midfield for the Hornets the last two years, Gabby will become an attacking mid-fielder this soccer season giving her the opportunity to dominate in the attacking third of the field. She is also at the forefront of establishing a change in culture for the girls this year.

“I think in the past some players have been too concerned about individual accomplishments so I’m trying to get us to think and play more as a family and team this year and that will make us better. I believe that you can go faster when you’re alone, but you can go further when you’re a team.”

In addition to playing for the Hornets, Gabby also plays on two club teams, one of which won the Super Y Nationals last year.

“I think a good leader is someone who is willing to practice what they preach so if tell the girls we need to run after practice for some reason then I make sure I’m running with them,” said Gabby who is in the student council, National Honor Society as well as Teens for Christ and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes which helps explain one of her main motivations in soccer.

“Jesus is my main motivation in playing soccer. I give all the glory to God because he gave me the talents to be successful at this game.”