DENVER – Gabriella Gamboa (Prosper, Texas/Prosper) prefers to be called "Yeaya," a term which can really be considered both a name and a response.
 
In her first week in an MSU Denver women's soccer uniform, "Yeaya" has also been an exclamation.
 
"She's definitely made a mark right away," MSU Denver coach Tracy Chao said.
 
A sophomore transfer from NCAA Division I Northwestern State (La.), Gamboa had two goals and an assist in her Roadrunners debut, a 6-0 win over Texas A&M-Commerce, and then added a goal and an assist in a 3-1 home win over Dallas Baptist on Sunday.
 
Gamboa was honored Tuesday as the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's offensive player of the week.
 
"I was kind of nervous because I've been struggling with my fitness," Gamboa said. "But I came out and did what I do."
 
Like the versatility in her name, Gamboa also has versatility in her game.
 
"She's so sharp on the ball," Chao said. "She's strong. She provides us a target that we can play into, and she also creates on her own. She has great vision. She's got a lot of different strengths. She's deceptive in a lot of ways, too."
 
Gamboa's style complements teammate Reigna Banks (Bakersfield, Calif./Bakersfield), the All-RMAC player who also scored three goals in the opening weekend.
 
"The biggest thing in soccer is to be technically composed on the ball," Chao said. "Yeaya has good timing. Reigna 0 to 60 (mph) is way faster, but timing of your movements is the key. Strong and composed and confident on the ball, and then good timing off the ball – that separates your play against opponents."
 
So about that name (it's pronounced Yeh-YEH) …
 
Her brother, Liam, 16 months older, couldn't pronounce Gabriella at a young age, so he began calling her Yeaya. It stuck.
 
She'll answer to her given name if she has to, but it makes her cringe to hear "Gabriella" when it's announced after scoring goals.
 
That might happen a lot, by the way.
 
She said her parents, who – for the record -- gave her a four-syllable name in the first place, have shortened Yeaya to Yay.
 
But Gamboa brings more than just a catchy nickname to the program. Her offensive firepower has helped MSU Denver go from unranked to No. 7 in the country in just one week.
 
The Roadrunners put that newfound recognition on the line this week with a two-game road trip that includes matchups Thursday with Central Washington (0-1-1) and Saturday at No. 11 Western Washington (1-1), the 2016 national champions.
 
"Everyone from last year has been saying that we're going to be super good this year," Gamboa said. "That we're going to make it to the RMAC tournament and go far in the NCAA tournament. I think we're going to be really, really good, but I don't really know because I haven't played any of the other teams yet. So far so good though."
 
Gamboa tied for second on the team at Northwestern State last season in goals (five) and assists (three) and ranked second with 13 points.
 
But the team chemistry wasn't a good fit for her, and the town of Natchitoches didn't have the big-city vibe she preferred. Then when the program changed coaches, that was the final straw.
 
When George Van Linder resigned, Yeaya said no-no to staying. Van Linder contacted one of his friends about the high-energy forward.
 
That friend was Tracy Chao.
 
"We were really impressed with her right away," Chao said. "Good, solid person, really driven, wants this kind of environment. Every environment isn't for everybody, so finding the environment that fits each person is important."
 
Gamboa said there was a temptation to find another Division I program, but she fell in love with the campus and the program at MSU Denver immediately.
 
"I've always been more of a city person," Gamboa said. "(Natchitoches) was so small, you had to drive an hour to do anything.
 
"I came on my visit and I love it. I love how it's right in the city and there are tons of things to do. And then the mountains are right in the background."
 
Gamboa said she strives to get a goal and an assist each game.
 
"I'm not the fittest person, and I'm not the fastest," Gamboa said. "I like the ball at my feet, making opportunities for my teammates and myself."

By the way, saying Yeaya is also good way to celebrate, which the Roadrunners have done a lot of already.