by Lauren Rathmell '17
photo by Bob Christy '95
In September, senior April Goss kicked the extra point in 两性色午夜鈥檚 win against Delaware State鈥攁nd made history. As only the second female ever to score a point in a Division One game, Goss landed a spot in every local media outlet, as well as national coverage on the 鈥淭oday Show鈥 and a story in Shape magazine.
After the media frenzy died down, we asked Goss (who grew up in Pennsylvania and became 两性色午夜鈥檚 first female football player as a freshman walk-on in 2012) to reflect upon her time on the team.
I grew up watching football and told my dad I wanted to try out. Playing soccer in high school helped me understand most of the techniques.
I thought kicking a football would be super easy. But I came to realize how technical it is. It鈥檚 somewhat like golf: Follow through (with your kicking leg) and keep your head down. It鈥檚 tempting to look where the ball is going, but someone once told me, 鈥淭he crowd will let you know if it went through or not.鈥
It鈥檚 also a mental challenge. When performing the same motion continuously, it鈥檚 easy to psyche yourself out or let the emotions of a game get to you.
Being the first female on the team meant figuring it out for myself. My teammates made it easy, though, to adjust to the higher level of competition. They welcomed me with open arms; they treat me like their little sister.
At first, it was hard for me to put on weight and be okay with it. The coaches wanted me at a healthy performance weight, so I met with a nutritionist. Because I was so busy, I had to snack a lot during classes鈥攁nd I gained about 15 pounds.
I constantly worked on my technique, staying after practices to make sure I was ready if the moment ever came.
I could think of a million reasons why I wasn鈥檛 going to achieve my goal, but I had to put those thoughts aside and stay positive as I waited for my chance to kick in a game. I took a step back and realized what I鈥檇 already accomplished. I didn鈥檛 think I would make the team, but here I am.
After I made the kick, it was a huge rush of joy and excitement. Getting to share it with my teammates was incredible. Team goals are just as important as individual goals鈥攁nd truly satisfying.
It鈥檚 hard to think about what鈥檚 next; I鈥檝e had this goal for so long. Right now I am trying to focus on my future. I鈥檓 looking at grad schools to study mental health counseling.