Freshman outside back for men’s soccer, Nate Gaw, had an adventurous journey to joining Quinnipiac soccer. The 5-foot-6 inch 148-pound native from Londonderry, New Hampshire has played the sport of soccer all of his life, but didn’t think to take his talents to the college level until his freshman year of high school.
Ever since his first time on a high school pitch, Gaw continuously practiced hours on end to improve his skills.
“My soccer career started when I made varsity freshman year,” Gaw said. “Until my senior year, I didn’t know my skills would develop much more than they actually did. There was never a day I didn’t have the ball at my feet at least once everyday.”
Gaw also played for three premier soccer clubs to enhance his playing experience with the Global Premiere Soccer New Hampshire club team, where he was coached by former collegiate players. Gaw enjoyed his soccer career in all four year of his high school experience, but he said his senior year was something special.
“My experience in playing for high school was creating memories with kids I grew up with playing at the local fields,” Gaw said. “In my senior year I scored the game-winning goal in the quarterfinals of the playoffs to send us to the second round of the playoffs, and I lead us to the state championship with 18 goals and seven assists.”
Propelled by his nearly 100 point high school career, he fielded offers from colleges across New England. The deciding factor was twofold, with both level of competition and the academic programs available.
“I picked Quinnipiac because I couldn’t pass up a Division I program,” Gaw said. “I’ve dreamed about playing in Division I since I made the varsity team my freshman year and QU was the only school I was offered that was Division I.”
Like many, Gaw’s decision was rooted in Quinnipiac’s campus itself.
“It was such a beautiful campus when I visited it one day,” Gaw said. “The very next day I told Coach (Eric) Da Costa I was coming here because I absolutely loved it.”
Before Gaw was even offered to play at QU, he was hesitant to apply because he was discouraged by the roster and the types of players Da Costa recruited. Regardless, Gaw made an effort to showcase his talents to Da Costa when he got the opportunity.
“At the beginning of my junior year of high school, I was looking around at programs and when I looked at QU, I saw the players on the roster and I didn’t think to email Da Costa after seeing those players’ profiles,” Gaw said. “It was truly a blessing to play against coach’s club, meet him and have him offer me a walk-on spot for his roster.”
Gaw has thoroughly enjoyed his experience playing for Quinnipiac soccer. Men’s soccer won the MAAC regular season against Fairfield 1-0 and came just short of a title, losing to Rider in the MAAC Championship.
“My first season here at QU has been the best year of soccer in my life,” Gaw said. “When we won the regular season championship, it was one of the best feelings I have ever had in my entire soccer career.”
Gaw has intimate relationships with his teammates, referring to them as close family members.
“My teammates are truly my brothers,” Gaw said. “We are one family with one common goal and that’s winning the MAAC playoffs and and advancing to the national tournament.”
Gaw not only appreciates the coach’s’ efforts to make the players better on the field, but off the field as well.
“The coaches are amazing here because they get to know each of us on a personal level,” Gaw said. “They keep us in-line and make sure we excel on the field, but more importantly in the classroom too.”
Gaw defines his role on the squad as trying to perform to the best of his ability while pushing others to do the same.
“My role on the team this year is to bring the energy and to work as hard as I possibly can while I’m on the field,” Gaw said. “I want to make each and every one of the players in my position better to maximize the team’s ability.”
Gaw is more than pleased with what this soccer program has offered and done for all the players. Gaw thought Christmas came early back in August on the team’s first day of the preseason.
“The first day of preseason honestly felt like Christmas,” Gaw said. “The amount of gear they got us was unbelievable and I can speak for everyone and say we’re all truly happy with everything this program provides for us.”
On top of it all, Gaw has had a great college experience in general. Though Gaw can feel homesick at times, his team certainly makes him feel like he’s back in Londonderry.
“My first year of college has been amazing,” Gaw said. “I have a family away from home when I am here and my roommates are great, so that has really helped a lot. My least favorite part is not being able to see my family everyday, but I talk with them often.”
Though the young player has developed a new family at school, he acknowledges the support group waiting for him in New Hampshire.
“There’s no way I could’ve have done any of this without the help from my previous teammates, coaches and family,” Gaw said. “I wouldn’t be in the position I am without any of them helping me along the way.”
