Gutierrez leading offensive success for Cape Central soccer

Experience can go a long way in sports.

That is certainly the case for Cape Central’s Celeste Gutierrez so far in 2024.

The senior has scored 10 goals in just six games this season, pacing a much improved Cape Central attack.

“The passing and the movement have been big,” Gutierrez said. “I’m finally healed from all my injuries in the past and we’re doing a good job keeping the ball moving.”

Gutierrez has a knack for scoring some big goals and putting together big performances already this season.

“I just love scoring,” Gutierrez said. “I feel like my teammates expect me to score.”

On Tuesday, the Tigers downed the Kelly Hawks 8-0 at Cape Central High School and Gutierrez scored twice in the first half alone.

“I felt like we were putting a lot of pressure on,” Gutierrez said. “We were a little tired from the game last night but we were able to get moving.”

Just a minute into the second half, Gutierrez scored again, marking her second hat trick on the young season.

“I love soccer,” Gutierrez said. “Scoring is always fun and I love seeing other people score too.”

Just two minutes later, Gutierrez scored again, pushing the Tigers’ lead to 6-0, and giving her four goals in the contest.

2024 has already been much kinder to the Tigers as they sit at 3-3 with 19 goals scored as a team in the first six games.

“I feel like I’m able to hold the ball and wait for the rest of the team to make plays,” Gutierrez said. “I just try to feed the ball to the other girls so we can get across and build up toward the goal.”

Perhaps the biggest difference from last year is the senior leadership the Tigers have.

In 2023, Cape Central had just one senior in goalkeeper Demi Drum. This year, the Tigers have seven seniors, including Gutierrez.

“It’s such a big difference,” Gutierrez said. “We finally have more players too and all of us seniors just love playing together.”

One thing Gutierrez certainly doesn’t lack is leadership, as she can be seen constantly communicating with her teammates on the field.

“Someone has to take that role on the field,” Gutierrez said. “I try to talk the whole time because if you’re quiet, you won’t really get anything going.”

According to Tigers’ coach Duncan McKinley, Gutierrez has continued to develop into a go-to leader for the Tigers.

“I think it’s a part of her game she’s been working on,” McKinley said. “Her being vocal and also having her ability to play the game is great because she can do both. I think it’s definitely brought her game to another level.”

A strategic change in positioning has led to more success offensively for Gutierrez.

“We decided to push her higher up the field,” McKinley said. “She’s traditionally played a more center-mid role, but getting her higher up the field and allowing her to pick certain passes and get longer shots off have allowed her to maximize scoring chances.”

Gutierrez and the Tigers (3-3) are back in action at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, when they hit the road to battle Sikeston.