Local football star on his way to Sweden to compete in the Gothia Cup
In addition to being a member of Ponderosa’s Varsity football team, Daubert plays for the San Juan Soccer Club’s ENCL program where her primary position is a left back.
EL DORADO HILLS, California – A football star from Ponderosa High School is on his way to Sweden on Friday to compete and represent California in Gothia Cup.
Paloma Daubert, a rising junior at Ponderosa High Schoolhas been playing football for over 10 years.
In addition to being part of Ponderosa’s Varsity football team, Daubert plays for San Juan Soccer Clubs ENCL program where her primary position is a left-back.
Daubert is not only a star athlete, but she also excels in her academics. Although she says it is difficult for her to balance between being an athlete and a student, she has had a 4.0 GPA during her first two years at Ponderosa.
“There are some late nights when I have to be up and doing homework or doing homework in the car,” Daubert said. “For me, I know that school comes first, so when it’s a big project, I know I have to put my foot forward with it.”
Daubert’s hard work and dedication to the sport of football has led her to compete and represent California in the Gothia Cup, which is considered the “World Cup for youth football”. The Gothia Cup will be held in Sweden on July 17-23 with almost 1,700 teams from 80 nations competing.
Daubert says she has spent the past year preparing to compete in the Gothia Cup with girls from all over California.
“I was very excited to know that I was selected with girls who are definitely older than me,” said Daubert. “I’m a little scared to be one of the younger ones on the team, but I feel like I’ve proven I’m on the team and I’m excited about growing and learning from the people around me.”
Although Daubert feels a little intimidated that she is one of the youngest on the team, her coach Katie Blough says you would never know it from her skills.
“Paloma is a versatile player who can play almost any position on the pitch,” said Blough. “She is misleading in her movement because she just slides and moves fast.”
Blough said Daubert has been an asset to the team she coaches.
“She’s tough to play against and great to play with,” Blough said. “She really loves the game and never says no to an opportunity to play.”
Blough is excited to see Daubert play and can’t wait to root for her from her home state.
“I think it will be a great opportunity for her to play internationally against teams from all over the world,” said Blough. “For me personally, I just want her to be herself, be confident and take risks.”
Daubert hopes international scouts will come to watch the Gothia Cup because she has dreams of playing football professionally in Europe in the future.
“I am hopeful that they will come and watch me play and that I can live up to their expectations,” Duabert said.
She and her team have high expectations that they will perform well in Sweden when they win NorCal Player Development Program tournament a few years ago.
“Since we won the PDP tournament, we have a lot of eyes watching us,” said Daubert. “I think we can make it to the final and hopefully win the trophy as well.”
See more from ABC10: Stockton Bear Creek High teenager was selected for the Stephen Curry Underrated Golf Tour