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01/13/2023 10:04 AMPlaying soccer for nearly a decade and a half, Gianna Mendez never stops to improve upon herself from the previous play, game, or season. That was certainly evident as she concluded her East Haven soccer career with some lofty recognition in the midst of being a standout athlete and leader.
The Yellowjackets’ girls’ soccer team senior tri-captain and midfielder first began soccer at the young age of 3, and stuck with the sport all throughout youth and club ranks before arriving on the East Haven campus pitch. Following notching Second Team All-SCC distinction last fall as a junior, Gianna one-upped that fantastic feat by being selected to the all-conference First Team as a senior—finishing her career with a tally of 33 goals and 34 assists.
“I love not only the sport itself, but I also love the great relationships I created with teammates and coaches through the game. It’s about the people I play with, and I have great chemistry with them all,” says Gianna. “It was really great getting First Team as a senior; it was something I was working towards since freshman year. My coaches have helped me accomplish my goals, along with my dedication to the game. I strive to keep getting better, so going from Second Team to First Team junior to senior year showed how hard I worked.”
When speaking to the honor and prestige of serving an office as a team captain, Gianna enjoyed more of the teaching moments of the occupation in guiding and advising the youth of the program, while growing herself in the process.
“Being captain made me want to play better, set a good example, and help other girls that may not know the game that well get better,” Gianna says. “I just wanted to help them understand the game better, and it also helped me become a better leader.”
As not only a senior leader but also manning the midfield, Gianna serves as the ultimate lynch pin for the pitch by staying in close contact with both defensive backs and offensive strikers. For her, the same traits of the position that create apprehension also produce satisfying moments.
“It is tough, because you are the center of the field. You help hold the team together on the field, and you are constantly running up and down,” says Gianna. “It causes a lot of pressure, because you have the position of being the heart of the field and keep everyone in position. But I love seeing the whole field and helping the rest of the team with their positioning.”
East Haven girls’ soccer Head Coach Jake Hackett can only use the highest of superlatives when speaking to Gianna’s heart, hustle, and pure talent throughout her career as a Yellowjacket.
“As a player, Gianna can only be described as top class,” says Hackett. “She came in as a freshman and made an immediate impact. Gianna has a winning attitude and is willing to do whatever her team needs her to do. This year as a senior, she was outstanding, battling her hardest every minute of every game. There is something very special about a player like that. I could not be prouder of her and all she has done here. She has made a profound impact on this program and leaves a strong legacy as one of the top players to play here.”
Whether as just a student-athlete as an underclassman, or as a senior captain, Gianna cultivated so many special and critical connections with her peers–leading to her never having a down or dull day during her Yellowjackets’ tenure.
“Playing for East Haven helped create relationships with girls and coaches, which really helped shape me as a person,” Gianna says. “It also helped me show leadership skills. Soccer was so much fun for me when I was around this team. Overall, it was an amazing experience.”
The fever for the pitch will not relent for Gianna even after she graduates from East Haven. No matter where she attends for the next tier of her academic journey or the direction she chooses to take for her major, the one thing she is 100 percent certain of is the fact that she wants to keep her feet bound to that soccer ball indefinitely.
“I want to keep going and play at the college level with soccer,” Gianna says. “I want to continue my soccer career, and then get a good education in college while doing it.”