Gabriela Kenyon is finding her offensive stride for the University of Massachusetts Amherst women’s soccer team. The junior from Canton has scored goals in consecutive games, including her first of the season in a 1-0 victory over Maine.

With a pair of tallies, Kenyon has already exceeded her output from last season, when she played in 18 games with a goal and two assists. Kenyon is the leading scorer for the Eagles (2-3).

The 5-foot-7 graduate of Notre Dame Academy in Hingham is from an athletic family. Her older sister, Ariel, played soccer at Dartmouth College, and her sister Victoria is a member of the track team at Connecticut College. Kenyon scored 36 goals and dished out 18 assists as a senior at NDA, helping the Aces to the Division 2 state championship.

Q. What is the team goal this year?

A. Our goal is to make it to the Atlantic-10 tourney and win it, but we’re just taking things one game at a time. We just missed making the tourney last year, so we have a little fire under us this season.

Q. What is your role on the team this season?

A. I’ve been coming in off the bench and just adding that spark and that energy and not letting the energy level drop, just trying to make an impact and get the team on the board. It’s all about knowing your role, and I’ve found my role and I know what I need to accomplish when I get on the field.

Q. How does it feel to be finding the back of the net again after scoring once in two seasons?

A. It feels great. High school is not as competitive as Division 1, so when you do get an opportunity it’s a great feeling to get on the scoreboard. When you come from a high school career when you’re scoring two or three goals a game, to college where you might get one or two a season, it’s definitely a great moment to finally find the back of the net and get your groove again.

Q. What did you do this summer to prepare for the season?

A. Just a lot of working out on my own, and I also played for the Boston Aztecs in summer league. That and just doing the extra work. I did a lot of running. My biggest goal this summer was to be fit coming into the season and becoming a better player technically.

Q. What is your biggest asset on the field?

A. Definitely my speed and my energy. I’m a quick player and I like to run onto the ball and take players on and try to create opportunities, not just for me but for my teammates as well. Helping us get up the field and score is what I can help most with.

Q. How did you end up at UMass?

A. I was actually committed to play at St. John’s University in New York, but some things fell through there. The assistant coach here [Rockland native Stephanie Gordon], who also coached me in high school, told me about the program. I had to make a quick decision and I think I made the right decision. I committed to UMass the last day possible after things fell through at St. John’s in late April.

Q. What do you like to do when you’re not playing soccer?

A. I love to run. I used to run track in high school. I like to hang out with my family and I volunteer at some local food banks and try to stay involved in the community.

Q. Any pregame rituals?

A. I always have to write something on my wrist before a game It’s usually my grandfather’s initials. He passed away a few years ago and he was a big supporter of mine, so it’s a nice way to remember him.

Q. Where is the best place to eat on campus?

A. Definitely Burke dining hall. You can find us in there for hours. They have great food. I like the Thanksgiving dinner. They have it a few times a month and it’s definitely a treat.

John Johnson

John Johnson can be reached at jjohnson49@comcast.net.