University of Minnesota Athletics
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Defender
/ Soccer
Photo by: Wesley Dean
'U' Newcomer Cesarone Utilized Spring Soccer Prep
6/10/2022 12:00:00 PM | Soccer
MINNEAPOLIS - While she may be a newcomer to NCAA Division I competition, Gabbie Cesarone is no stranger to battling at a high level as she prepares to take the field for Minnesota soccer this fall.
It was an easy choice for Cesarone to be a Golden Gopher for her final collegiate campaign knowing the standards of excellence on and off the pitch. She is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree and does not shy away from the demands of being a student-athlete.
"Obviously, there are multiple reasons I wanted to come to the University of Minnesota," Cesarone said. "For one being the soccer aspect. The Big Ten stage for soccer is what every kid dreams of playing on so that was attractive. When I visited campus; the team, coaches and environment felt like a place I wanted to be a part of and that really drew me into the university. On the academic side, the master's program I was looking at is a top program so Minnesota checked all the boxes for me."
A native of St. Charles, Ill., Cesarone spent the first four years of her soccer career as the anchor of the back line at Washington University in St. Louis, an NCAA Division III powerhouse. Named the best defender in the country by D3soccer.com in 2021, she was a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-American and twice chosen as the University Athletic Association (UAA) Defensive Player of the Year. That skillset and experience makes her a valuable addition to the Gophers lineup entering the 2022 season as a graduate transfer.
"Fortunately for me, I am coming in after having four years of college experience, not just on the soccer field, but also being a student. The biggest thing on the soccer aspect is the tempo and that was an adjustment, but getting time on the field with the team was one of the most important things. That's where chemistry with the people next to you and the rest of the team is developed."
Cesarone came to Minnesota for the 2022 spring semester with the intention of adjusting to her new surroundings as quickly as possible knowing how much of an edge that will give her heading into the fall season.
"Being able to meet the girls and form relationships with them and the coaches was the most advantageous part about coming early so that I am super comfortable with Minneapolis, the team, and also getting time to play at this level. Having the chance to get acclimated and adjust to the new training regime and lifting program was important and will make the transition into the fall a lot easier.
While already a gifted player on the field, the jump from Division III to I comes with significant challenges. Cesarone, along with the Gophers coaching staff, understood that and made a conscious effort during training sessions to shift the mindset to be as prepared as possible when the season gets underway.
"A big aspect of the move was the tempo of play being faster and just the natural athleticism is a little bit different. For me, someone who was easily able to lean on my athleticism throughout my undergrad career, then in the spring that turned into 'you have this athleticism, but so do all these other people,' I needed to focus on the technical side of training and off the ball work to really give me an edge. That was honestly a really beneficial thing this spring. Continuing to work on the tempo of play and making quick and decisive decisions is something that the coaches really stress."
No matter where she plays, the mission remains the same for Cesarone; stop her opponents from scoring and do whatever it takes to help the team win.
"I am super competitive so that plays out in all facets of my life. That is something that people will definitely notice. When I step on the field, my expectation is to win and anything less is a disappointment, regardless of the opponent. I want to be on the field and be relentless, whether defending really hard or pressing other teams, and stay locked in for the full 90 minutes."
It was an easy choice for Cesarone to be a Golden Gopher for her final collegiate campaign knowing the standards of excellence on and off the pitch. She is pursuing a Master of Public Health degree and does not shy away from the demands of being a student-athlete.
"Obviously, there are multiple reasons I wanted to come to the University of Minnesota," Cesarone said. "For one being the soccer aspect. The Big Ten stage for soccer is what every kid dreams of playing on so that was attractive. When I visited campus; the team, coaches and environment felt like a place I wanted to be a part of and that really drew me into the university. On the academic side, the master's program I was looking at is a top program so Minnesota checked all the boxes for me."
A native of St. Charles, Ill., Cesarone spent the first four years of her soccer career as the anchor of the back line at Washington University in St. Louis, an NCAA Division III powerhouse. Named the best defender in the country by D3soccer.com in 2021, she was a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-American and twice chosen as the University Athletic Association (UAA) Defensive Player of the Year. That skillset and experience makes her a valuable addition to the Gophers lineup entering the 2022 season as a graduate transfer.
"Fortunately for me, I am coming in after having four years of college experience, not just on the soccer field, but also being a student. The biggest thing on the soccer aspect is the tempo and that was an adjustment, but getting time on the field with the team was one of the most important things. That's where chemistry with the people next to you and the rest of the team is developed."
Cesarone came to Minnesota for the 2022 spring semester with the intention of adjusting to her new surroundings as quickly as possible knowing how much of an edge that will give her heading into the fall season.
"Being able to meet the girls and form relationships with them and the coaches was the most advantageous part about coming early so that I am super comfortable with Minneapolis, the team, and also getting time to play at this level. Having the chance to get acclimated and adjust to the new training regime and lifting program was important and will make the transition into the fall a lot easier.
While already a gifted player on the field, the jump from Division III to I comes with significant challenges. Cesarone, along with the Gophers coaching staff, understood that and made a conscious effort during training sessions to shift the mindset to be as prepared as possible when the season gets underway.
"A big aspect of the move was the tempo of play being faster and just the natural athleticism is a little bit different. For me, someone who was easily able to lean on my athleticism throughout my undergrad career, then in the spring that turned into 'you have this athleticism, but so do all these other people,' I needed to focus on the technical side of training and off the ball work to really give me an edge. That was honestly a really beneficial thing this spring. Continuing to work on the tempo of play and making quick and decisive decisions is something that the coaches really stress."
No matter where she plays, the mission remains the same for Cesarone; stop her opponents from scoring and do whatever it takes to help the team win.
"I am super competitive so that plays out in all facets of my life. That is something that people will definitely notice. When I step on the field, my expectation is to win and anything less is a disappointment, regardless of the opponent. I want to be on the field and be relentless, whether defending really hard or pressing other teams, and stay locked in for the full 90 minutes."
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