Danielle Gaztambide couldn't tell you how many goals she has scored in her three and a half seasons at Judge Memorial, and for good reason. There are almost too many to count.

But the Utah State-bound senior can tell you which of her 63 career goals means the most to her. It was scored two years ago this week.

"We were playing Juan Diego at their home, and we won that game 2-1 and I had the first goal," said Gaztambide of the Sept. 17, 2009, victory against Judge's previously unbeaten rival. "In my whole high school career I'd never seen so much heart come from my team. It was just so much fun. It was exhilarating and a great outcome."

That she chose a goal scored in a Bulldogs victory is not surprising, given the respect her teammates and coach share for the striker who has a nose for the net.

Senior defender Erin Dugan described Gaztambide as humble and unselfish.

"She'll help you out with whatever you need help with, but she's not going to be condescending about it," Dugan said. "She must know she's better than everyone, but it doesn't come across that way. You want to play with her because it makes you better."

That goal against Juan Diego was one of 20 Gaztambide scored her sophomore season, three more than she tallied a year ago as a junior. But 2011 is on track to be Gaztambide's most prolific when it comes to beating opposing goalkeepers.

She scored at least once in each of Judge's first eight games, and already matched her freshman season total of 13 goals. Her 1.62 goals per game average is by far the best of her high school career and, entering the week, she had scored in nine consecutive games dating back to last season.

Gaztambide said there is no secret to scoring goals. It just starts with concentration.

"It's important to stay tuned in every moment of every game," said Gaztambide, who has scored three or more goals nine times with the Bulldogs. "And do everything you can for your team. That's the bottom line."

"You get a lot of strikers, they just want to score. That's all they want to do," Judge coach Anthony Hardy said. "She'd much rather give the assist as long as the team gets the goal.

"With Dani you can always expect 100 percent. She's giving everything she's got for the whole 90 minutes. And she's about the only striker I've seen who doesn't need a sub, especially at the high school level, who can stay that fit. She's just that dedicated."

She will take that dedication to Logan next fall. Gaztambide said Aggies coach Heather Cairns' program offered the best overall package.

"It's close to home, but not too far away," Gaztambide said. "It's a great place to do undergrad. A lot of girls who have played there loved it. It's the best place for me."

Before that, Gaztambide and her teammates have some unfinished business. A 5-3 start and 0-2 record to open region play has hardly met expectations for Gaztambide in her senior season.

While the Bulldogs have made the Class 3A playoff each of her years, Gaztambide has yet to play for a state title. "We did really well in the preseason and I don't really know what happened so far [in region]," she said, referring to losses to Juan Diego and Park City by a combined score of 11-3. "I know we can bounce back from that. I know this team has the potential to win state." —

Goals galore for Gaztambide

Judge Memorial senior forward Danielle Gaztambide has scored in each of the Bulldogs' first eight games this season.

She has 63 goals in 61 games at Judge and is on pace this season to top her sophomore total of 20 goals.

Gaztambide committed in March to play next year at Utah State.