Gurgel’s Offense Catapults Lady Sharks To Top Of National Rankings
The Lady Sharks soccer team is off to a hot start during its inaugural season. Their 9-3 record has them shooting up the National Junior College Athletic Association division I women’s soccer poll.
Currently, they are ranked 13th in the country.
A major reason for that is the play of freshman forward Julia Gurgel. The Brazilian-born striker leads the team with 10 goals and 20 points.
“It brings me joy to help my team,” Gurgel said.
Her breakout performance was on Sept. 27 when the uber-talented forward scored two goals in a 3-2 win versus Eastern Florida State College, who at the time was the ninth-ranked team in the country.
“She’s been a huge contributing factor to the success of the team this season,” said Lady Sharks Head Coach Ramiro Vengoechea. “Her being able to provide the goals in some of the big games has really helped us for sure.”
Gurgel started playing soccer at the age of seven in her hometown of João Pessoa, a coastal city in the northeastern part of Brazil. She aspired to play like her idols, Brazilian icon Neymar Júnior, and soccer legend Lionel Messi.
“I love the competition of the game,” Gurgel said. “Also to be a part of a team, and the friends you make.”
But her biggest role model is her mother Germana Bezerra.
“It was always the two of us and she was always with me for everything,” Gurgel said.
Gurgel sharpened her soccer toolkit at Colégio Marista Assunção. That opportunity eventually led her to join soccer clubs: Grêmio and Futebol Com Vida.
In 2022, she played in five games for Grêmio and tallied two goals. Last year, she played in seven games at Futebol Com Vida and scored six goals.
Eventually, Gurgel’s film caught the eye of Vengoechea, as he was building his first roster at MDC.
The 19-year-old’s talent has fit in flawlessly with the Lady Sharks.
On October 5, Gurgel scored both goals in MDC’s 2-0 win versus Monroe Community College. The loss is the only blemish on the 12th-ranked Mustangs record this season.
“Julia is an amazing player on and off the field,” said Sharks defender Elizabeth Mata. “Her positive energy, combined with the vibrant Brazilian culture she brings lifts our spirits and keeps us motivated.
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