Junior midfielder Natalia Gomez-Junco carefully sets the ball on the pitch outside the penalty box. Stepping back to take a free kick, she evaluates the position of the goalie and where the runs of her teammates should finish.
A few seconds later, Gomez-Junco curves a shot into the far post, just beyond the keeper’s outstretched arms.
Although her second goal of the year against Northwestern State was an accomplishment in itself, the score represents much more to Gomez-Junco, who had to redshirt during the 2013 season after transferring to LSU from Memphis.
“Obviously, I couldn’t step on the field, and that gave me so much motivation to when my time came to give everything,” Gomez-Junco said. “I think that will be the thing that will push me this year to value every game, to know how sacred it is to get to step on the field and how unique that is.”
Despite sitting out last season, Gomez-Junco’s work ethic and intelligent play have impressed on and off the pitch, making her a leader before she ever started a match.
The road that brought Gomez-Junco to LSU didn’t even begin in the U.S. Instead, the roots of her journey to become a Tiger lie in her home country of Mexico.
In 2012, Gomez-Junco represented Mexico in the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Japan along with LSU junior midfielder Fernanda Piña.
“I met [Gomez-Junco] on the national team because we are from different parts of Mexico, but it was awesome,” Piña said. “We played in the U-20s together … Since we are from Mexico, we kind of know each other, and it is kind of the same style of playing. It’s really good to have her here.”
Gomez-Junco began her collegiate career with a breakout freshman season at Memphis, which included eight goals and 17 points on the year. She was the second-leading scorer for Memphis and earned a place on the Conference USA All-Freshman Team in 2011.
After her sophomore year at Memphis, during which she produced only two goals and five points, Gomez-Junco made the decision to transfer.
Gomez-Junco said the combination of LSU’s facilities, coaching staff and team chemistry was perfect.
“As [LSU coach Brian Lee] said, LSU has a great brand that speaks for itself,” Gomez-Junco said. “The facilities we have here are ridiculous. No [women’s] pro team in the world has this type of facilities … We have everything you need as an athlete, as a soccer player.”
From a coach’s perspective, Gomez-Junco’s play on the field was excellent. But a recommendation from Piña played a bigger role in her recruitment.
“What we knew was that she was looking for a new school, and Fernanda vouched for her as a person,” Lee said. “Anytime in the recruiting process when one of our players speaks well of the personality, character and work ethic of somebody, that goes a long, long way.”
After arriving on campus, Gomez-Junco was limited to practice without the possibility of playing in live games for almost 22 months.
The time spent sitting out changed her perspective and allowed to her gain a different understanding of the game.
“I hadn’t thought of how different everything looks,” Gomez-Junco said. “It’s just a completely different perspective. I think that precisely has helped me a lot to see what things we are missing, to see different tactical things, mentality things.”
Although Gomez-Junco could not participate in matches, she was just as emotionally involved as her teammates on the field.
“She was as — or more — into the game as everybody on the bench,” Lee said. “She really lived and died every moment with us.”
Her dedication last year established her as a leader on a young team that features only one senior, midfielder Alex Arlitt.
Playing in the center midfield, Gomez-Junco is a key contributor to almost every offensive possession and provides a spark to the offense with pinpoint passes, whether on the ground or flighted.
“It’s fun [playing midfield] because you are in the middle of everything,” Gomez-Junco said. “You get to control things a bit more, and I think that’s a good side.”
Gomez-Junco went from being off the pitch to being in the middle of it, and the year she spent working and watching from the sideline allowed her to hone the skills she’s been showing off this season.
“She’s always doing extra,” Lee said. “She’s always pushing herself be it in the weight room or on the field. All those things just add up. She’s really good at free kicks because she practices almost every day. She’s really fit because she runs hard a lot.
“I think she’s a kid with a great work ethic who is very good for the entire team dynamic.”