Biography
By Jim Hague
Gabriel Avans was staring at the crossroads of his collegiate career last spring.
Avans could remain at New Jersey City University, where he became a solid fixture as a midfielder with the Gothic Knights’ soccer program for the last three years, tallying 14 goals and collecting eight assists, or he could move on in a different path.
“It was a really tough decision for me,” Avans said. “Obviously, I was at NJCU for three years. I had all my friends and teammates there. I was set up there. But I had only one more year left in soccer and I wanted to do something that would benefit me, both soccer-wise and school-wise.”
So Avans reached out to Rutgers-Newark men’s head soccer coach and coordinator of soccer operations Kevin East.
“I knew of Gabe and knew he was an excellent player,” East said. “I knew he did real well at NJCU. Gabe was always a player that we were concerned with when we played them. When he expressed interest in transferring to Rutgers-Newark, it was a great day for us. He told me he wanted to go somewhere he could compete and participate in the postseason play.”
Avans was about to become a major part of what the Scarlet Raiders’ soccer program did, but there’s always the apprehension that comes with the uncertainty of fitting in with the rest of the Scarlet Raiders.
As it turned out, there was no problem at all.
“Everyone was very open to me,” Avans said. “They were really nice and accepted me from the beginning. I really appreciated that.”
Avans instantly drew the respect and the friendship of Scarlet Raiders’ senior captain and fellow midfielder Nick Kyprianou.
“The support he gave me from the beginning was tremendous,” Avans said. “We were roommates during training camp. If I needed anything, both on and off the field, I could talk to Nick and he would help me out. He backed me up with everything and gave me support. I think there was mutual respect for each other as players and with our work ethic.”
Needless to say, Avans fit the Scarlet Raiders like a glove.
“I have a lot of respect for what Gabe did, because he had only one year left,” East said. “To leave one place and come to another speaks volumes to his competitive nature. He was a great addition for us.
Added East, “He gave us another weapon in the midfield. He’s dangerous and able to create chances while on the attack. He also has the ability to be a box-to-box player, to go forward to goal, then get back and defend. He has a great soccer mind on top of that. He’s the kind of guy who makes everyone around him better. We already had a good midfielder in Nick, but Gabe fit right in because he could do stuff and create.”
Avans instantly became the Scarlet Raiders’ leading scorer, tallying eight goals and adding six assists for 22 points, earning All-New Jersey Athletic Conference honors in the process.
But Avans carved his place in R-N soccer folklore for a play that has simply become known as “The Goal.”
In a late-season game against William Paterson, a match that appeared destined to be a 1-1 deadlock between the two schools, Avans got the ball just past midfield and the public address announcer counting down the final seconds.
“Seven, six, five…,” the announcer said.
“That’s exactly what I heard when (Scarlet Raider goalkeeper) Matt (Broomall) punted the ball,” Avans said. “I was praying for the ball to come to me. I just thought if I got the ball, my plan was to be able to strike the ball on target toward the goal. It was my intent to shoot the ball on target.”
It wasn’t just on target, it was perfect. With just two seconds left, Avans fired a blast from 45 yards out that sailed over the William Paterson keeper as time expired.
“I was shocked,” Avans said. “Once it hit the net, Nick picked me up and wouldn’t let me go,” Avans said.
“It was pretty amazing,” East said. “First, to have the presence of mind that the clock was winding down, but then to put it in the net. When he first hit the ball, we were all in shock and said, `Did that really just go in?’”
The goal was featured as ESPN’s Sportscenter Top 10 Plays of the Day – and deservedly so. It was a goal of a lifetime.
“I got calls from people in North Carolina, Virginia, all over about ‘The Goal,’” East said. “It was pretty special. In terms of strength and accuracy, in terms of drama, it’s probably the best goal I’ve ever seen.”
“The Goal” has been receiving thousands of hits on the YouTube website.
“I wasn’t able to see it on TV,” Avans said. “We either had practice or a game. But I have seen it on YouTube and my thoughts are that it’s pretty incredible. It’s the best thing that could ever happen to me.”
Avans has an older brother, Walter, who was a fine player at NJCU.
“I absolutely looked up to him growing up,” Avans said. “I wanted to do everything he did. I tried to mirror every move and everything he did well. I tried to copy him.”
How much? Well, both Walter and Gabriel share the same birthday, August 16. They were born exactly one year apart.
“He always jokes with me and tells me that I ruined his first birthday party,” Avans said.
Avans will eventually receive his degree in management from Rutgers-Newark. He has no idea where he will end up in the business world, but he knows he doesn’t want his soccer career to ever end.
“I want to play soccer somewhere,” Avans said. “That’s my main goal. My dad is from Argentina and my grandfather is from Spain, so I can play somewhere in either country.”
Avans is set to lead the Scarlet Raiders into the NCAA Division III ECAC Tournament this week. Rutgers-Newark drew the top seed in the tourney.
“I wish we could have gone to the NCAA Tournament, but since we’re still playing, we’re going to go all the way,” Avans said. “It makes me really happy to know that I was able to do something great here.”
And to forever be remembered as the player who scored “The Goal.”
