MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – When the 2024 offseason rolled around, RMU men's soccer captain Gabe Norris knew the clock was ticking. This was his final shot at a championship—and he wasn't taking it for granted.
 
"We came back in the fall of 2024 knowing this was our last chance," Norris said. "Our group of seniors was special. We were a close group. We knew we'd graduate and move away, so we came in with the mindset to cherish the season."
 
Led by second-year Head Coach Jonathan Potter, the Colonials entered the campaign with confidence, especially after an undefeated spring. With momentum on their side, Norris and his teammates put together a strong regular season, finishing second in the Horizon League standings.
 
When playoff time came, the Colonials traveled to Rochester, Michigan, and delivered under pressure. A 1-0 win over Milwaukee secured their spot in the Horizon League title game. Then came the moment that etched their names into RMU history—a 1-0 victory over top-seeded Oakland to claim the program's first-ever Horizon League Championship and punch a ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.
 
"I look back on that feeling a lot," Norris reflected. "I can't put into words how much I miss that feeling and playing with them."
 
After graduating with a degree in Finance, Norris found a new way to stay connected to the game he loves—through coaching. He's now a club coach at Steel City FC, a team he helped lead to back-to-back Great Lakes Cup titles in 2023 and 2024.
 
Today, Norris is guiding the next generation of players, coaching U8 and U10 girls' teams along with a U16 boys' squad.
 
"The reason I love the sport so much is it's like a game of chess," he explained. "You have pieces that can go somewhere on the field. Tactically and strategically there's a lot to work on. Knowing that I can teach and pass the love for the game onto the kids is awesome."
 
Beyond the pitch, Norris is preparing for his next professional step. He's currently interning at a law firm in Cranberry, Pa., gaining experience ahead of law school this fall, where he plans to focus on Corporate Law.
 
From team captain to conference champion and now coach and future attorney, Gabe Norris is proof that passion, leadership, and a love for the game can take you far—on and off the field.
 
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