Desarae Felix, senior history major and midfielder for women’s soccer, was named Western Athletic Conference Athlete of the Week after scoring three goals and an assist.
Kristen St. Clair, head coach of women’s soccer, said she believes Felix is different from other players.
“Desarae is a special player. She works very hard and she can be dynamic in the midfield as well as in the forward line,” St. Clair said.
However, St. Clair said Felix’s achievement did not come from mere individual effort but as a team effort.
“She has a knack for seeing the final pass. She has a knack for scoring goals, and her teammates have found her very well,” St. Clair said. “The goals she scored, she’s had some great passing from her teammates.”
Being named WAC Player of the Week did not affect Felix’s effort.
“Yes I was happy to receive the award as well as my team, but recognition or not recognition, we will continue to prepare ourselves in the best way possible and play to the best of our ability,” Felix said.
“Personally, I prepare myself by never really having an off-season,” Felix said. “In the spring, I do my best to get the most out of each workout from the weight room to the soccer field.”
In summer, Felix said she kept herself in sharp form by playing in a summer-collegiate league.
“When summer comes I play in the WPSL (Women’s Premiere Soccer League), along with doing captain-led training at school,” Felix said.
Felix is a captain who is not only reliable on the field, but also loved and admired by her teammates.
Ari Coronado, freshman kinesiology major and forward, said she remembers committing to CBU and hearing about Felix.
“I was looking at the stats to see who is going to be here when I came freshman year,” Coronado said. “When I came across Desarae, I was so excited and pumped because she is an awesome player and I knew I wanted to be able to play with her and get to learn leadership skills from, Felix.”
Coronado said Felix is always there for the team as a friend.
“There are several principals that I apply for myself, one of them being that I strive to be a servant leader,” Felix said.
Felix, despite facing her final games as a Lancer, said she is content with her years with the team.
“I believe that my performance this season so far will most definitely satisfy my last season competing for CBU,” Fe- lix said. “On the field I’ve made lasting memories from over-time wins to big wins. We could lose our last few games and I’d be more than satisfied with how much we have grown, learned and applied.”
The team will play the University of Montana Oct. 26, and it will be Felix’s last game in her collegiate career.
