Thursday, October 1, 2026
Rockville Centre’s Abigail Gruner has been awarded the Masotto-Driscoll Scholarship from the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, recognizing her achievements on the soccer field, in the classroom and throughout her community.
The scholarship honors Patricia Louise Masotto and Brenda Driscoll, two standout women’s soccer players from Massapequa who were killed by a drunk driver in 1985. Eastern New York established the scholarship in their memory to recognize student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in academics, athletics and community service.
Gruner, a graduate of South Side High School, earned the honor after an accomplished high school career. She finished with a 105 weighted GPA and was the salutatorian of her graduating class. She was also a member of the National Honor Society and several academic honor societies, including Art, Math, Science, Tri-M Music, World Language and Rho Kappa Social Studies.
A standout goalkeeper, Gruner captained both the South Side High School and Rockville Centre Soccer Club teams while also representing the Eastern New York Olympic Development Program and Regional Olympic Development Program. She also earned recognition from the Long Island Junior Soccer League, receiving one of its scholarships.
Off the field, Gruner has dedicated time to serving others, including volunteering with the Rockville Centre Soccer Club’s TOPSoccer Program for children with special needs. She also co-leads Bethany’s Buddies, an organization supporting women and families in need, and founded Cards to Fight Cancer, a fundraising effort benefiting Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
In her scholarship essay, Gruner reflected on how soccer helped shape her confidence and leadership abilities.
“From as far back as I can remember, I was in cleats, kicking around a ball that gradually grew as I did,” Gruner wrote. “I fell in and out of love with the sport, but becoming a goalkeeper helped me love it again.”
She described the position as giving her a sense of freedom while helping her develop into a stronger leader.
“I found my voice on the field, and that translated to finding confidence off of it,” Gruner wrote. “I have learned how to speak up not just for myself, but for those who are not heard, to lead through kindness, poise and hard work, and that creating a positive team culture is the best thing you can do to lead a team.”
ENYYSA, a nonprofit member of US Soccer and US Youth Soccer, serves more than 100,000 youth soccer players and 25,000 volunteers across its region, which stretches from Montauk Point to the Canadian border east of Route 81. The organization provides opportunities for children with special needs.
Gruner will attend the University of Virginia this fall.
