Soccer is a highly competitive and fast-paced sport. Every fall season, California Baptist University students and athletes look forward to witnessing greatness on the soccer field.
In addition to being competitive, it also placed importance on those who have played most of their lives or watched games with their families growing up.
Jade Maldonado, junior forensic chemistry major, watched soccer games when she was younger and still enjoys watching the National Soccer League at home with her family. She clung to some of her favorite teams and players emotionally.
“My favorite soccer player is either Lionel Messi or Neymar Jr. Growing up, my dad loved watching Messi play, and when he won the World Cup recently, we got so emotional; it was exciting,” Maldonado said.
While soccer brought out the outspoken tenderness of some individuals, it also brought out some of the most exciting moments in others. Mina Hirsch, sophomore kinesiology major, spoke about what she enjoyed about the sport.
“Every time I watch a soccer game, I’m excited to see that action that takes place and how the team works together to win. I look forward to the soccer community and the bonds that form while playing soccer and watching soccer,” said Hirsch.
Hirsch also shared a mutual favor for the soccer player, Lionel Messi. She believed that watching players like him bonded her family together.
Showing similar support for the National Soccer League, Hirsch also indicated support for both CBU’s men’s and women’s soccer teams.
“I loved the game especially. Seeing fellow classmates out on the field, cheering them on, and talking about how they did the next day in class has been something I have looked forward to,” said Hirsch.
CBU soccer athletes worked their way into the season. They paced through the field over the summer while setting new field goals and maintaining a fresh new mindset.
Nikki Mau, right winger on the CBU Women’s Soccer team and sophomore pre-radiological science major, said she trained at home with her club and private coaches. “I just ran, and ran, and ran, and ran, and ran,” Mau said.
Aside from physical training, Mau mentally trained herself to “fill bigger shoes” as she said many seniors graduated and left the soccer team, leaving her to step up.
As the season began, she quickly learned that she could manage her routine thoroughly. With the free time she gained, she trained herself both mentally and physically.
When asked what she was looking forward to most, Mau said she was excited to play again after missing last season due to injury. “This year I was fully cleared,” Mau said.
Soccer can be exciting and competitive, but most of all, it is crowd-worthy. As CBU soccer athletes play this season, they will face opponents confidently and write their own stories on the field.
