Kalani Gonzales, De Anza Force Soccer Club's Protege under Brandi Chastain, Enters College Transfer Portal as a Dual-Sport Athlete After Impressive Cross Country Season.

HILO, Hawaii - April 16, 2024 - PRLog -- Kalani Gonzales, the accomplished two-sport fall athlete from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, has announced her entry into the College Transfer Portal, starting April 15. As a protégé of United States soccer legend Brandi Chastain, Gonzales has flourished in her roles, notably transitioning from Forward to Center Midfielder under Chastain's tutelage.

Trained by notables such as Lloyd Grist of the Welsh Premier League and MLS, and Paul Bravo, former MLS player and Colorado Rapids executive, Gonzales has a decorated history in soccer. Her journey began at a local ECNL club and top-ranked De Anza Force ECNL Soccer Club coached by Chastain. At the prestigious Montgomery High School Girls Soccer Program in Santa Rosa, CA, she won a California state championship.

Gonzales's commitment to soccer was intensely sharpened at the De Anza Force Soccer Club in San Jose, demonstrating her dedication through a daily four-hour round-trip commute. Her journey from a local club player to securing the 18th spot on a nationally acclaimed ECNL team, and eventually earning a starting position within her first year, is a testament to her formidable skill and unwavering determination. Attracted to the burgeoning Division 2 soccer program at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Gonzales aimed to make an immediate impact, driven by a desire to propel the team beyond their historical first-round exit in the previous year's tournament.

Despite facing the challenge of being redshirted in her freshman year and observing her team's second early exit from the tournament, Gonzales's resilience was unmistakable. She consistently trained with the soccer team and astonishingly emerged as the top runner on the cross-country team. Her top finishes highlighted her exceptional athletic adaptability and competitive spirit.

Gonzales reflects on her journey: "My peers think I'm a college senior because of my maturity. They are shocked when I tell them I'm only a Freshman. My story of being overlooked and undervalued is a narrative I refuse to let define me."

As Gonzales explores her future opportunities, she seeks a college environment that aligns with her athletic and academic aspirations. She stated, "If it's soccer, I want to play for a team that commits to every practice with intensity and builds out of the back similar to my experience at De Anza under coaches Chastain, Grist, and Bravo. If it's cross-country, I want to train under a coach who can mold me into a champion. I want to focus on one sport and my academics. If my future coach is reading this, I just played two fall sports as a Freshman 2,323 miles from home, while maintaining high grades. I'm ready to help us win now."

Mentored by distinguished figures in the soccer world, Kalani Gonzales is more than an athlete; she is a symbol of resilience and potential in collegiate sports. Her next steps through the College Transfer Portal are eagerly awaited by those who recognize her talent and determination.

For Inquiries: https://kalanigonzales.com/