After missing the 2A state soccer tournament last season, Anacortes boys soccer goalie Ashton Gere is determined to lead the Seahawks as far as they can go this year.
“I want to go to state,” Gere said. “Now that we started offseason training three months ago, I think we will do better.”
The senior goalie played recreational soccer when he was younger and tried coed indoor soccer in middle school. As the tallest player, he was always placed as the goalkeeper for his team. Gere began taking the sport seriously as a freshman and has played a pivotal role for the Seahawks as one of three captains.
“I have to be loud and motivational,” Gere said. “Along with my other two captains, I need to be there for my teammates.”
Gere was named a second-team all-conference goalkeeper last season and aims to be named first-team this year. He believes he can be one of the top players in the conference as long as he keeps the right mindset.
“What I lacked last year was being a goldfish,” Gere said. “When I made a mistake, I dwelled on it. If I do make a mistake, I want to forget about it.”
Once Gere graduates from Anacortes, he will look to play soccer at Skagit Valley College while pursuing an aerospace career.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.