Kiara Gonzales looks to dissect defenses for Texas State
With her speed and skill in the attack, Texas State’s Kiara Gonzales can really carve up a defense. Funny enough, a love for dissection off the pitch helped the criminal justice major’s decision in choosing Texas State for her NCAA career.
“I always had a real liking to criminal justice and always had an interest in dissecting things,” Kiara, who made the 2019-20 Sun Belt Conference Academic Honor Roll, told BGN. “And the forensic anthropology program here was one of the main reasons why I chose Texas State over any other school.”
In addition to her interest in criminal justice, Kiara also has a passion for volunteering. She’s worked with Meals on Wheels, Operation Blue Santa, and Mobile Loaves & Fishes. “My mom always brought me up to give back to the community,” Gonzales said. “And, you can always be a helping hand to anybody at any time of need.” She would love to get her Texas State teammates involved and volunteer as a team. Gonzales is also a member of the Dr. Johnny E. Brown Committee on Racial Equality at Texas State.
Kiara’s able to further her interests off and on the pitch at the school’s campus in San Marcos, Texas, not far from where she grew up in Austin. “It was my main thing,” she explained. “I just wanted to stay near family because family support is always my number one thing and just to be close with my family.”
On the pitch in the Lonestar State, Gonzales has recorded two goals and two assists, appearing in all 13 regular season matches (starting 12).
GOAL!!! @kiaramgonzales ties the match 2-2 with just under 6 minutes to go!#EatEmUp | #Goals2Cure pic.twitter.com/4ezrrZ4eIn
— Texas State Soccer (@TXStateSoccer) September 20, 2020
As her sophomore season winds down, Gonzales, who does her damage up the right wing, has some areas that she would like to improve on heading into her time as an upperclassman. She said, “For me personally, working to get around my player, like looking wide and getting those early crosses off and being in the back post for when I get across coming towards me and just working with my girls.”
Gonzales and Texas State will kick off their Sun Belt Tournament run with a matchup vs. Troy on Monday. Kickoff is set for 6:30 PM Central and will be live on ESPN+.
