For Gabby Gaetano, the communal aspect of being on a sports team has always been at the crux of her passion for athletics. She helped make that evident by being a captain that constructed a familial feel with the East Haven girls’ soccer squad.

The Yellowjackets senior started playing on the pitch at the age of 4, which was also the same time she picked up a basketball–two sports she still participates in for East Haven. This past fall, Gabby, who started the year as an outside midfielder before moving to defender, capped off her soccer career by being an influential captain, who was always ready to lend a helping hand or listening ear and garnered a share of the team’s Coaches’ Award.

“Soccer and basketball were the two sports I loved so much as a kid, and I never grew out of them,” says Gabby, who tallied a goal and three assists this season. “I loved both because of the people around me; it was a constant family. No matter who you are with or what you are doing, you have those go-to people around you. My coaching here has helped me in soccer. I had great, fun, and encouraging coaches. It was something I always looked forward to daily.”

When reflecting on how a skill set from one game translates to another, Gabby goes on to state that it is all about the constant grind that keeps her feet fresh, regardless of the ball or playing surface.

“Soccer always helped prepare me for basketball season, because it got me in shape,” Gabby says. “And then playing AAU basketball after the high school season helped prepare me for soccer. Mentally, I just always knew I had the next year or season coming up.”

Manning the midfield on the pitch, Gabby was a crucial conduit between the offensive and defensive fronts on the turf. Yet she notes when she stepped into the backfield, it was an adrenaline surge to stop any shot or scoring strike.

“In the midfield, as a play develops, knowing you’re in the play, especially when we score, is great,” says Gabby. “On defense, it is a rush when you stop a shot or someone from scoring.”

Detailing her time in the captain’s log for the soccer squad, Gabby remembers hard times within the sport and the source of some of those issues, so she made sure the experience for her underclassmen teammates was different.

“Being named a captain meant a lot to me,” says Gabby, a guard who was also named senior captain for the basketball team this winter. “There were times when soccer was not the easiest sport for me. This year, I wanted to make sure everyone felt comfortable enough to come to me to talk about anything.”

It was truly a family affair when it came to the game of soccer, per Gabby. She is certainly upset to see it come to a close, though Gabby is equally thankful for the time she had with her colleagues on the club.

“Playing for the soccer team here meant the most to me out of any experience in life,” Gabby says. “At the end of the day, I felt I had a home with them and felt like I was with my family. It is sad to lose it now, but it was a great bond.”

East Haven girls’ soccer Head Coach Jake Hackett was marveled by Gabby’s steadfast commitment to her craft, in addition to her selflessness towards the team by playing wherever her services were requested.

“Gabby showed a great perseverance. She battled and worked hard in every aspect of her game, whether it be in training or in games,” says Hackett. “She is one of the most versatile players I have coached. Gabby played a number of different roles for us and did them without complaint. As a leader, she led by example, she was a great leader and a great teammate. I am extremely proud of her and all she has done in this program. She will be missed big time.”

Looking to the future, Gabby wants to conquer these same two athletic endeavors on a collegiate scale. But she knows it is about keeping things in perspective while staying proactive and positive.

“I want to go to college and play both sports in college. I also want to study to become a nurse,” says Gabby. “I always need to stay focused on the bigger picture. It is also about keeping my priorities and my mindset straight.”