The Fremont Firebirds soccer squad finished the 2019-20 season with an impressive 7-3-1 record in the El Camino League. One of the key seniors leading the way for the Firebirds was goalkeeper Guppy Uppal. Led by Uppal in net, Fremont finished the season allowing just 10 goals in those 11 league games, including six clean sheets.
As a senior captain and team leader, Uppal recognized how her squad improved as the year progressed. She recalls that after having a tough preseason, the team focused on bonding, rather than wins or losses, which eventually paid off.
“I loved how each one of our players stepped up to the plate even if they were coming off the bench,” noted Uppal. “We didn’t focus on the wins, just focused on building relationships. We struggled in the preseason, but as we got to know each other better and learned how to talk better on and off the field, we really started to click. I’m definitely really proud of how our team finished the season.”
Fremont Head Coach Payam Hajjarian had nothing but high praise for the amazing job his starting keeper did this season.
“She’s a great kid, super hard worker, both academically and on the soccer pitch,” applauded Hajjarian. “She leads by example, plays with a lot of passion and makes any sacrifices necessary for her team to be successful.”
Uppal isn’t sure yet where she wants to go to school next year, but it sounds as if she will continue to make sacrifices for those she cares about. The senior is hoping to double major in communications and kinesiology, with one day hoping to run nonprofit soccer camps for kids in socio-economically challenged areas.
“After graduation, I still want to be involved with soccer, starting a non-profit soccer camp someday is definitely a goal of mine,” chimed Uppal. “Would love to be able to coach soccer for those in low-income communities, so they can learn for free.”