After Many Ups and Downs Early in His Career, No One Believes in Eoin Gawronski More Than Himself.

Written By: Zach Demusz

Photo Courtesy of: Zamani Feelings

Injuries have played a part in every stage of Eoin Gawronski’s soccer career. Previously, they have provided opportunities – now they strip them away. 

As Temple’s Second Team All-AAC goalkeeper lept in the air to attempt the save on a penalty kick in overtime against Villanova, Gawronski didn’t know that would be his last time in the net for the Owls as he would suffer a season-ending foot injury on his try. 

However, if it wasn’t for an injury suffered by his high school team’s goalie, Gawronski would have never found his true passion between the pipes. 

“I like to think that it was meant to be,” Gawronski said. “It was a tough transition in high school and a very frustrating process but the more experience I had, the more I enjoyed it.” 

Prior to his teammate’s injury, the Limerick, Pa. native played defense for his entire career at YSC Academy. The fact that Temple offered him a scholarship as a goalkeeper says enough about his work ethic – something that not many other schools saw. Head Coach Brian Rowland and the Owls were one of his only offers on the table. 

“Temple came late with an offer in January of my senior year,” Gawronski said. “Temple came late with a good opportunity and it also looked like a good chance for me to play and get good minutes here.”  

After struggling in the latter half of his senior year, Gawronski said that he was at “his lowest point” when he first came to Temple. 

“When I got to Temple I knew I was in a good environment with older keepers who were willing to help me,” Gawronski said. “Even though I started at my lowest it was a big learning year for me.” 

Simon Lefebvre was the “older” keeper that Gawronski was referring to. The Ossun, France native played 18 games for Temple over two years. During that stretch he only averaged 1.12 goals against, which still ranks fifth in program history. 

Soon, those promised minutes became a reality for Gawronski when he started his first game in net for Temple on March 6, 2021, when the Owls took on the then second-ranked team in the nation, the SMU Mustangs.

Gawronski recorded six saves which helped elevate his team to a 2-0 win, helping Temple in the conference rankings in a COVID-19 stricken season with soccer being moved to the spring.  

“I knew I had earned the opportunity to get a chance,” Gawronski said. “I still can remember that feeling I had in my stomach but the guys were there for me the entire time.” 

Following that game, Gawronski became the everyday starter for Temple. He played in eight games, recording 32 saves, on just over 100 shots faced. He finished his redshirt freshman season with a record of 4-1-2, with two shutouts. 

After wrapping up his season in the spring, Gawronski decided the best way for him to continue to get better was to continue playing even after the season had ended. He joined the USL 2 League, a semi-professional developmental soccer league sponsored by United Soccer Leagues. There, he was surrounded by a lot of older players that could help him develop his game. 

“I focus a lot on myself and my own development, whether that be fitness or small technical skills I need to improve on,” Gawronski said. “This summer was a lot of work for me that probably went unnoticed.” 

The extra work certainly paid off as he opened this season playing in Temple’s first four games making 17 saves with two shutouts, as well. Gawronski had a terrific start to the season as he made the AAC Honor Roll for three consecutive weeks for his dominant play.

Villanova was the next team the Owls were set to face. If it wasn’t for a pivotal foul committed by Temple in overtime, Gawronski would have never gone up for that save which broke his foot. 

“When I stepped to plant, I felt an instant pain shoot up the side of my left foot,” Gawronski said. “I really think that I was just unlucky because I had never suffered any other injury to my feet in the past.” 

When the news broke that Gawronski wouldn’t be able to participate any further in this season, there was shock around the soccer community because of the impact that he had on the team. 

“Eoin was a key player on this team,” Temple Men’s Soccer SID Jordan Veiner said. “In my opinion he was the best goalie in the country and losing him was a tough blow for the team.”

Now on the sideline, Gawronski has embraced a new role in helping the team, and new sophomore goalkeeper Liam Cummings in any way possible. 

“I look at it like a learning experience for me and it’s also an opportunity to step up and be a better teammate and leader,” Gawronski said. “I want the best for [Liam and senior Goodwill Agbaadem] even though we are fighting for one spot. I want the best for them.”

Since losing Gawronski to injury on Sept. 11, the Owls hadn’t won a game until Oct. 6 against Princeton. Prior to that, they lost five straight without their starting keeper behind them. 

Temple head coach Brian Rowland said that he does believe that Gawronski’s injury took quite a toll on his team.   

“Injuries often have a psychological effect on a team,” Rowland said. “Obviously he played a big piece and it seemed like the group was reeling a little bit after dropping five straight.” 

Rowland added that Gawronski will “do anything” in order to get back on the field and help his team win in due time. 

As for Gawronski, when asked about what his plans are for the future, he said he’s working everyday to get back to where he was on and off the field when the injury occurred. 

After redshirting his freshman year, and the NCAA granting another year of eligibility due to the pandemic, Gawronski is set up to succeed for the Owls for quite some time. Gawronski noted that he wants to continue playing soccer even after his Temple career has ended. 

No one believes in himself more than he does.

“Opportunities will arise…I know that,” Gawronski said, “I just need to be prepared for them.”