San Diego SeaLions GK Kaycee Gunion Talks College Career and WPSL Success
San Diego SeaLions goalkeeper Kaycee Gunion talks about her college career at Cal State San Marcos and her success in the WPSL over the past few years. The 26-year-old notes the effort to maintain fitness during her adult life that has inspired her to receive a doctorate in physical therapy from San Diego State University.
WPSL Soccer News: When she was a young girl, Kaycee Gunion dreams might have included playing on the U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team — winning the FIFA World Cup or Olympic Gold. While these dreams have not happened, this talented soccer player has forged new goals and is on top of her game.
At age 26 her dream of playing soccer at the highest professional level may be fading, but former CSU-San Marcos and Helix High School standout and current San Diego SeaLions‘ goalkeeper Kaycee Gunion isn’t packing her gear and calling it quits anytime soon.
Not when this beautiful, talented, and bright young woman still exudes a passion for the game that few can match.
She knows that someday, someone a little younger and more athletic may come along and replace her as the team’s top goalkeeper. But someday is not now.
“One of my biggest challenges, post-college, is maintaining my physical ability through the offseason,” Gunion says. “That’s when I train by myself and and play a lot of indoor soccer. I have to suppress my desire to play in goal due to a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery in 2014. I don’t want to re-injure it.”
Gunion nevertheless keeps herself in the best possible physical condition. “About a month prior to preseason training with the SeaLions, I start intense training, both physically and mentally,” she said. “Getting back into goalkeeping takes some time. I get in the best shape I can while managing graduate school, work, and my relationship with my boyfriend. It’s very different from college.”
“When you’re in college, soccer is your life,” Gunion acknowledged. “Then when you are out working and scrapping trying to move to the next stage of your life, you still want soccer to be your life but other relationships try to take over. It takes more work to manage and balance them.”
There are some clear distinctions between competing at the collegiate and post-collegiate levels, says Gunion, a Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) First- Team All-Star in 2013 and 2015.
“The experience is very different. In college, I trained 5-to- 6 days a week, often with a goalkeeping coach,” she said. “Now I have to recreate that on my own, even though the SeaLions have tried to make that easier by establishing ongoing relationships for us with trainers, therapists and masseuses.”
Gunion was dominant at the collegiate level (2008 through 2011). Over four seasons as a Cougar, she set school records with 187 saves and a 0.43 goals against average in 73 games played. She compiled a 41-12- 14 overall record and played a part in 40 shutouts. In her final two seasons there, Gunion allowed just 11 goals and held a 0.315 goals against average.
Gunion also owns the distinction of being the first student-athlete at CSUSM to be named NAIA All-America in each of her four seasons on campus. She was an Honorable Mention selection as a freshman before being named to the Second Team for her sophomore and junior seasons. As a senior, Gunion became the women’s soccer program’s first-ever First Team All-American.
Because of her accomplishments, Gunion was inducted into the university’s athletics hall of fame in 2013, and she has continued that excellence into the WPSL, which is the USA’s highest level of soccer below the professional National Women’s Soccer League.
There are other differences between college and post-college, semi-pro, and pro soccer, Gunion said. Fewer shots on goal at these higher levels, for example.
“The defenders in front of me in the WPSL are much better at preventing shots from developing,” Gunion said. “And at this level consistency, focus and mental toughness are more important to the results of games and seasons. Goalkeepers rarely have to make tremendous, awe-inspiring saves, but they consistently have to make clear, well-thought- out decisions and need to have the back line’s trust and confidence. It is a presence in the back. Shot-stopping is super important, as well, but owning your goal area is even more so.”
Now in her seventh season in the 100-team WPSL, just one rung below the pros, Gunion clearly has that “presence”, and until recently was affectionately referred to as “Mama goalie” by her boyfriend, family, and close friends.
Because I just earned my doctorate in physical therapy (from SDSU), now they call me, ‘Dr. Mama Goalie,’” Gunion says with a laugh.
Kaycee, born and raised in Santee, CA, is one of Robert and Kathleen Gunion’s three daughters. The eldest, Kristin, turns 28 in July, while the youngest, Kelsey, will be 25 in August. All three grew up playing soccer.
“And we still play indoor soccer together,” Gunion said. “It’s just one of many lifelong bond which our parents have supported and encouraged, and they still attend every SeaLions match. That’s some awesome role models for us.”
In her time with the SeaLions, it’s not difficult to pick out a favorite soccer moment. “Nothing will ever top the thrill of winning our 2013 WPSL National Semi-Final match,” she says. The game was tied after regular and extra-time, then went to penalty kicks, and remained deadlocked after all 10 field players on each team had taken their shots. Players and fans alike had their hearts in their throats, and the entire stadium throbbed with tension.
“It all came down to the goalkeepers,” Gunion recalls, leaning forward. “I made my shot, then stepped in goal to face the other team’s goalie.”
Gunion saved her counterpart’s shot to win the game and push the SeaLions into the WPSL finals, “When that happened, I knew we could win it all,” she says. “We all knew we could.” And they did, with a 2-1 victory over the Houston Aces (a professional team) to become the 2013 WPSL Champions.
“She is recognized as one of the WPSL’s best, most consistent goalkeepers,” says SeaLions goalkeeping coach Lu Snyder, herself a former WPSL All-Star ‘keeper and SDSU standout, “and she’s still at the top of her game.”
Goalkeepers actually hit their primes later than other players in soccer but the skill levels are rising at an earlier age now. I will play with the SeaLions as long as I can, or until life takes me down a different path, and you never know what can happen,” says Gunion.
Gunion said she also wants to give back to the sport that has given so much to her. She is goalkeeper coach for two club teams — Oranje Voetbal Club and Sporting San Diego — and also coaches talented youth goalies privately.
Every youth soccer player deserves a chance to be great, not just the kids whose parents have more money in their pockets. I got that chance, and I want to pay it forward.”
Gunion is dedicated to helping both youth players and the younger goalkeepers with the SeaLions. Gunion and the SeaLions are a great fit.
“I’m here because I love soccer and love to compete,” she said. “And so does every player, coach, manager, and intern in this club. There is no better opportunity in San Diego for talented females to continue to play, coach, manage or operate an established soccer club that holds itself to professional-level standards. It really is like nothing else.”
Source/Photo Credit: Aaron Jaffe for the San Diego SeaLions
