East County Athlete of the Week: Gavin Moore

Gavin Moore has been a steady presence for a team that's on pace to be the best in program history. The senior goalkeeper for Lakewood Ranch boys soccer has played in 15 of 17 games this season, as of Jan. 22, entering the FHSAA Class 6A-District 11 tournament. In that time, he registered 115 saves against nine goals allowed — good for a .927 save percentage — on a Mustangs squad which finished the regular season at 15-0-2. Moore is the East County Athlete of the Week.

What is it like to be part of the first team in program history to complete an undefeated regular season?

It's been an amazing experience getting to play with other incredible teammates and develop myself through them and help accomplish great things with them.

How are you guys feeling entering the district tournament and eventually regionals? 

We're pretty excited. We think we can have a good run in the playoffs, so we just need to continue being disciplined and playing how we have been all season. We can go far.

When and why did you start playing soccer?

I started playing when I was 3, and I've been a goalie for eight years now.

How did you gravitate to goalkeeper as your primary position?

Playing when I was little, for whatever reason, I enjoyed playing back — right in front of the goal. So when I started playing competitively, it was part way through my first season when the goalie on our team got hurt and I volunteered. I've been playing goalie ever since.

What highlight or special moment from your career have you never forgotten?

I'm hoping that can be done this year, making it to states. 

How are you a better goalkeeper now than where you were at this point last season?

A lot of it comes down to my teammates and coaches who have helped me develop myself. I was pretty short for a while, which is difficult as a goalie. My teammates and coaches have helped me push my limits and become a better player.

Is there a quote or piece of advice that you've always carried with you?

Dreams don't work unless you do. I think anything that involves discipline and hard work ends up paying off. That's what a lot of soccer has been for me — a lot of hard work, several years, good seasons, bad seasons and persevering through all that.

If you could meet any professional athlete, who would you meet and why?

David Goggins, just because of his mindset. It'd be great to absorb some of that determination from him.

Do you have any college plans?

Not yet, I hear back from most of them in March. I'm hoping to get into MIT. I was deferred early action, so I've still got a chance. I also applied to a couple (Ivy League) schools, and I'm hoping I'll get into one of them — besides, one is all it takes. But in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter too much where you go. It's the opportunities you set yourself up for. I plan on trying to walk on wherever I end up going to college.

Finish this sentence. Gavin Moore is...

Determined.