Downey High goalkeeper earns full scholarship

Courtesy photo

DOWNEY -- Downey High School standout girls' goalkeeper Idalis Gonzalez will be playing her college soccer at the University of Louisiana at Monroe next season. 

ULM is a Division I school and competes in the Sun Belt Conference. 

Gonzalez earned a full scholarship for her hard work, both on the pitch and in the classroom, and will play for the Lady Warhawks.

Idalis will be pursuing a degree in Health Science. She enjoys helping others in need and spending time with her family. Soccer has always been a passion for Idalis and in playing soccer has developed an attitude of working hard each day to improve individually, while at the same time, keeping a focus on making her team better.

Idalis graduated Downey High School in June with a 3.3 G.P.A. and ranked 236/1087 in her graduating class. She was a four-year Honor Roll student and belongs to the National High School Honors Society.

Gonzalez started her prep career at St. Joseph's where she was selected to the Del Rey League All-League Team as freshman goalkeeper. Idalis transferred to Downey after her freshman season and started her sophomore, junior and senior seasons as goalkeeper. During her time at Downey, Idalis has been a consistent leader and has brought a winning attitude to the Viking program.

Idalis is a 2-time All-S.G.V.L. selection, 2-time Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team selection, C.I.F. champion in 2013, 4-time League champion (including freshman year at St. Joseph's), was selected the 2015 Viking Team Captain and was voted 2015 Team MVP. 

During her four years in net, Idalis accumulated a 70% win percentage, recorded 36 shutouts, saved 414 shots and had a goal against average of .292. 

Gonzalez helped lead Downey to the 2013 Division 4 championship, the 2013 state tournament semi-finals and was a S.G.V.L. champion in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Idalis has also played for the CDA Slammers in Cerritos since 2014 and has earned distinction as a club player as well.

Coach Godfrey and her staff are extremely proud of Idalis and all that she has accomplished at Downey High School. Godfrey wishes her the best of luck at the next level both in the classroom and on the pitch.