Veronica Gonzalez

Position:
Defender
Height:
5-2
Class:
Freshman
High School:
Charles W. Flanagan High School
Hometown:
Pembroke Pines, Fla.

CAREER HIGHS

Minutes: 90 (14x, Most Recent: 10/19/23 at Missouri State)
Shots: 1 (2x, Most Recent: 8/27/23 vs. SEMO)
Shots on Goal: 1 (8/20/23 at IUPUI)
Goals: 0
Assists: 0

2024 SEASON

Played in eight games and started in 3… finished the year with one shot and 480 minutes recorded…played the full 90 minutes three times this season against North Alabama (9/5/24), Lindenwood (9/8/24) and, Illinois State (9/19/24).

2023 SEASON

Appeared and started in all 17 games ... paced the Salukis with 1515 minutes played during the season ... lone shot-on-goal came at IUPUI on Aug. 20 ... played 90 minutes in 14 of her 17 games as a freshman ... finished the year with two shots, with the second coming vs. SEMO on Aug. 27 ... did not miss a game in her freshman campaign ... played the second-most minutes in a single season in program history, only trailing Sam DeJulio's 1550 minutes played in 2022.

PERSONAL

Daughter of Ximena and Raul ... sister of Gaby and Alexa ... played for the varsity soccer team as a freshman, sophomore, and junior, and was the team captain for the last two years ... qualified for the playoffs all three years ... played for the Sunrise Sting Travel Soccer Club, made it to DPL Nationals in 2021-22 and 2022-23 ... member of Florida Future Educators of America ... spearheaded a community service initiative of collecting and donating gift cards to 'His House Children’s Foster Home' with a goal of $500 ... manager of marketing and funds acquisition for Joe DiMaggio’s Soccer Marathon ... raised $9,720 in one month for pediatric patients and families ... class rank of 5/570 ... born on March 12, 2005.

WHY I CHOSE SIU

"Being a student-athlete for the majority of my schooling, I wanted to attend a university that will challenge me both academically and athletically. I believe that Southern Illinois University best fits both criteria due to the innovative ways of learning incorporated into each classroom, the challenging curriculum, and the competitive conference the women’s soccer team plays."