PORTLAND, Ore. — Midway through her sophomore year at Concordia University, Gabbie Ewing realized something: She wasn’t ready to give up soccer anytime soon.
While Ewing still had two years left to play for the Cavaliers, just the thought of hanging up her cleats and shin guards a final time made her cringe.
Luckily for Ewing, who recently wrapped up her senior season with Concordia, her passion for the game matched her skill set, helping her garner some attention from Skövde KIK, a Division 1 team in Sweden’s Norra Götaland league.
Ewing signed a contract with the club a few weeks ago, but made her decision official with a signing ceremony at Concordia on Wednesday.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Ewing said. “To know I’m not done playing was one of the biggest things for me. I want to play soccer until I literally cannot play anymore.”
Concordia head coach Grant Landy raved about Ewing’s contributions to his program on and off the field, and was ecstatic to see his former captain continue her playing career.
“Gabbie has been really important for us from Day 1. She came in as a freshman, found a starting spot and we never had to move her,” Landy said. “She’s a special player and a special person. She’s made a huge impact here.”
Ewing will head to the club in July, following her graduation from Concordia. The deal is just for the season, but it will undoubtedly create more opportunities for her to further her playing career either with Skövde KIK or elsewhere.
“As a young kid on the Big Island, I didn’t think I was even going to play college soccer,” Ewing said. “It’s been a pretty wild ride.”
It’s not everyday that a Big Islander signs a pro soccer contract. She’s believed to be the first from Hawaii Prep and joins 2012 Kealakehe grad McKenna Davidson as former BIIF players to make it to the pro ranks. Davidson played for the Wexford Youths last year, appearing in a Champions League game against Ajax.
Ewing credited her college coaches for encouraging the idea and helping her get in touch with the right people.
“When the thought initially came up, I had no idea if I was good enough,” she said. “I knew that as a sophomore I had a long way to go, but they reassured me that if I stayed on the right track, I would have an opportunity.”
Ewing attended the PSC Combine in California in January, but injured her ankle on the second day of competition. However, she made connections at the event that helped the opportunity manifest.
“I sent (Skövde KIK) my film and soccer resume, then we had a couple of video chats and the next thing I knew they sent me an offer,” Ewing said.
Ewing will be nearly 7,000 miles from the Big Island with her new team, but she’s not intimidated by the distance. Instead, she’s embracing what will be her first trip overseas to Europe.
“I’ve always wanted to travel,” Ewing said. “To see a different culture and be able to develop as a player and person is an incredible opportunity for me.”
It also helps that she has a sturdy support system that has been backing her every step of the way.
“My parents and brother have been amazing through everything, but also the rest of my family, extended family, old coaches, friends, professors and teachers,” she said. “It’s truly amazing. Without that, I wouldn’t have even had this idea to go play professional soccer. It’s something I feel very fortunate to have.”
Ewing, a 2015 Hawaii Preparatory Academy graduate, was the BIIF Division II Player of the Year as a senior, and a four-time first-team pick as Ka Makani won four league titles and a pair of state banners.
A multi-sport star, Ewing was also the BIIF Division II Player of the Year as a junior for volleyball.
Ewing finished her college career at Concordia with 22 goals — 11 of those game-winners — and 19 assists. Ewing, a midfielder, finished on the Cavaliers’ all-time career lists tied for sixth in game-winning goals and 10th in points.
“Gabbie loves to play soccer. She has a passion for the game that’s unrivaled,” Landy said. “She’s an incredibly hard worker and is always wanting to do more.”