There used to be a time when Emmy Goble never said a word on the soccer field. Times have changed for Goble, a Live Oak High senior midfielder who plays a key role for an Acorns team that entered the week at overall and in the Blossom Valley League’s Division.
Growing up, Goble was more than happy to let her teammates do all the talking.
But once Goble landed on a competitive traveling team at age 13 for Orchard Valley, she realized she would need to get more vocal. Goble has played for Live Oak High coach Tony Vasquez for the last several years, beginning with Orchard Valley.
“Before I started with Tony’s team, I never said a word while on the field,” Goble said. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become a better communicator.”
As one of the two senior captains—Olivia Williams is the other—Goble and Williams are like coaches on the field, relaying what Vasquez wants the team to execute (look for a profile on Williams in a future Times article).
“We hear what Tony says and tell it to a team in a way that gets the girls together and on the same page,” she said.
Goble said because of her experience she can calm some of the younger players down—the Acorns start four freshmen—during tense situations. After all, Goble was also a varsity starter as a freshman, an experience that was downright frightening initially.
“My first-ever varsity game, I can’t begin to tell you how nervous I was,” she said. “I was so nervous all day long, and when I got on the field, I was thinking, ‘Do I even know how to play soccer?’”
It didn’t take too long for Goble to adjust and mature, as she kept on working hard to improve her skills and the leadership skills; the latter is evident when she’s on the field today. Goble plays a key role defensively at midfielder, where she helps the team control the possession.
“I try to hold down the middle pretty well,” she said. “I re-distribute the ball to teammates, whether they’re running or checking or playing back to the goalie. I’ve gotten a lot more conditioned with ball skills and being strong on the ball.”
Vasquez doesn’t remember the last time the team has won a Central Coast Section playoff game, but Goble feels this year’s squad has what it takes to not just win a match but to make a very deep postseason push.
“We’ve got a lot of young, talented players who work hard,” she said. “That makes the game fun, seeing them bring a lot of energy to the team. This is the best team and chemistry we’ve had since I’ve been here. The girls are so positive with each other, so it’s a good dynamic.”
Goble started playing soccer at 4, and it didn’t take long for her to develop a deep love for the game. Her father, Tony, was also a longtime soccer coach at Live Oak High.
“I was always around the soccer field,” she said. “I would go to his practices, and he would bring me out to the front yard and teach me the game. I brought a soccer ball to my brother’s baseball games so I could entertain myself. It’s something I’ve been passionate about since I started playing.”
Three to four times a week, Goble does personal training for youth soccer players. She holds the sessions in her back yard, and got started by putting an ad on the Nextdoor app, the private social network for one’s neighborhood. Goble was proactive in getting herself a job, aided by her mom, Anna.
“My mom thought it would be good to put an ad out for soccer since my schedule wouldn’t allow me to work a job with regular hours,” she said. “I’ve had more people contacting me than I thought what would happen when I started this. I love teaching kids everything I’ve learned from soccer, and helping them to love the game.”
Once quiet, Goble has developed into a player who leads by her actions and words.
“I’ve come out of my shell,” she said. “I’ve gotten a lot more confident, and I could feel it on the field.”
It shows.
