The Phoenix star from Gauteng, South Africa commandeered a 7-0 record at No. 1 singles – 4-0 versus Southern Conference opponents – during April while earning a league-best NCAA Division I ranking of No. 120 in the Fila Collegiate Tennis Rankings, administered by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

Along the way, Gooch defeated Georgia Southern's Vincent Patry 6-0, 6-0 on April 1, then-No. 69 Furman's Ben Pauluhn 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 on April 2, Winston-Salem State's Ryan Lindquist 6-0, 6-0 on April 7, Davidson's Flaviu Simihaian 6-2, 6-2 on April 9, East Carolina's Aleksey Kochetov 6-2, 6-2 on April 12, Longwood's Carlos Garcia de Andoain 6-0, 6-2 on April 14 and Chattanooga's Ryan Fitzgerald 6-4, 6-1 on April 22.

Before the month was over, Gooch was tabbed to the First Team All-Southern Conference in both singles and doubles and was named the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year. Gooch also obtained SoCon Athlete of the Month honors in February and SoCon Player of the Week recognition once in March.

Elon University All-Time
Southern Conference Athletes of the Month
Eddie Bell, Football (Defensive) – September 2003
Holly Andrews, Women's Basketball – December 2003
Holly Andrews, Women's Basketball – January 2004
Lance Cole, Baseball (Pitcher) – February 2004
Dani Concepcion, Softball (Player) – February 2004
Jen Lamb, Softball (Pitcher) – February 2004
Emily Lucci, Volleyball – September 2004
Mike Sheley, Football (Defensive) – September 2004
John Taylor, Football (Offensive) – September 2004
Jimmy Lytle, Men’s Golf – November 2004
Chad Nkang, Football (Defensive) – November 2004
Evan Erickson, Baseball (Player) – February 2005
Pramote Malasitt, Men’s Tennis – February 2005
Alison Mangini, Women’s Golf – February 2005
Meredith Miley, Softball (Player) – February 2005
Keith Orlen, Men’s Golf – February 2005
Morgan Olds, Women’s Golf – March 2005
Kevin Regan, Baseball (Pitcher) – April 2005
Chad Nkang, Football (Defensive) – September 2005
Chad Nkang, Football (Defensive) – October 2005
Chad Nkang, Football (Defensive) – November 2005
Kitara McMoore, Women's Basketball – November 2005
Dominique Price, Women's Indoor Track – December 2005
Kitara McMoore, Women's Basketball – January 2006
Lance Cole, Baseball (Pitcher) – February 2006
Taylor Johnson, Women's Golf – February 2006
Debbie Zeigler, Softball (Player) – February 2006
Damon Gooch, Men's Tennis – February 2006
Robert Rodebaugh, Baseball (Player) – April 2006
Steven Hensley, Baseball (Pitcher) – April 2006
Damon Gooch, Men's Tennis – April 2006