One of nine sophomores on the 2021 Salem soccer roster, Gina Franco wrapped up her first year in a Spirit uniform by notching two goals by virtue of four shot attempts. Franco was one of 12 players to net at least two goals for the Spirits, tying teammates Callie Adams, Alyssa Denkowich and Kim Sephaphathi for ninth-most on the team.
Along with her offensive contributions, Franco's defensive prowess helped Salem to limit the opposition to 28 goals, the fifth-fewest in program history. A key cog in the defense, Franco and her teammates helped the Spirits pitch four shutouts as they limited the opposition to eight goals in the final 10 matches a season ago. As a result, the Spirits reached the USA South Conference Semifinals and a clash with Maryville.
Franco earned the starting nod in eight contests, including her collegiate debut, which came against Bob Jones on August 31. On September 19, in a meeting with non-conference foe Emory & Henry, Franco drove home her first career goal at the 55:18 mark of the match, giving Salem a 1-0 lead. The Spirits would tack on a second goal just over 17 minutes later to earn their fourth win of the season.
The Mooresville, N.C., native stepped up in the clutch for the Spirits to record her second goal of the season. With a 1-0 lead inside the final five minutes of the USA South Quarterfinals match against Piedmont, Franco took advantage of a pass from Denkovich and provided Salem with a 2-0 advantage with a goal off a header. Defensively, she helped limit the Lions to 14 shots, as Salem posted its sixth shutout of the 2019 season.
Franco is accustomed to success—winning a pair of conference titles while at South Iredell High School. She parlayed that success into two All-Conference selections, a pair of All-Region awards and was named All-County on two occasions as well. Franco ended her prep career by being named as a two-time Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year by her team and coaches at South Iredell.
In the classroom, she was a member of National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and National Beta Club. Franco graduated with Summa Cum Laude and International Baccalaureate honors from South Iredell High School.
Franco recently discussed a number of topics to provide insight to her career both on and off the field. She made the following statements:
Name: Gina Franco
Sport(s): Women's Soccer
Who inspired you to play this sport and why?: I was never inspired to play soccer. I fell in love with the sport and how free it made me feel. I come from a poor country (Colombia) and I had seen people with no shoes playing on the streets having a blast. Even though I had shoes, as I've grown up I always did the same. It taught me to be one with the ball. It has been my passion ever since.
Describe some of the things that you have done, while being away from campus during the COVID-19 pandemic, that have made an impact on your life.: This summer I had surgery on my hip (torn labrum arthroscopy, and ostomy). I had torn my labrum back in 2018 and since I had been playing on it for so long the doctors also had to reshape my femur and pelvis. I had been playing on an injury for almost three years and it was getting worse. I have spent the summer healing and taking care of my body. Before surgery I worked out every day, played tennis to keep my agility in check, and I ate healthy. I then had my surgery and I took time to rest. This has taught me how important it is to keep my body healthy and has only made my urge to come back even stronger.
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Class at Salem: Marketing
What is the one thing that you have learned most by competing in athletics that you apply in everyday life?: I have learned to always trust the process. Whether you're injured, transferring, playing, in math class, or becoming a doctor. If you trust the process, the results will come.
Best Salem moment in sports: Going to the beach with the team and watching Octavia Saunders (head coach) sprint to the water and then have a soccer game on the sand.
Plans after I finish college: I want to travel and go do my masters in another country. I would also like to coach soccer to kids in other countries.
Superstitions that are in my pregame ritual: I always have a wristband on my left hand that says TTP (Trust The Process). I also do an athletes prayer before stepping on the field.
How did you pick your jersey number?: I have always been number 10, but after transferring I wanted to start fresh. I chose the number 3 because there's 3 girls in my family that mean the world to me (2 sisters and mom). Our lucky number is also 13 so I wanted something to remind me of that.
If you could travel anywhere where would you go?: I really want to go to South Africa, to Dubai or to Greece. I have always dreamed of learning more about each country and spending several weeks in each to learn their culture.
What made you decide to attend Salem?: I originally committed to Queen's University of Charlotte. I played there for one year where I had gotten injured and started having problems with the team. The Salem athletic director heard my story and what had happened and she reached out to me about her soccer program. I went and met Coach Octavia Saunders and some of the girls on the team and I loved the environment and the atmosphere. I was promised that my student athlete experience would change and that they would always have my back. Since then I didn't think about transferring twice and I've never regretted my decision to be a Salem spirit.