By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
More than ever before, Samantha Ruiz was there for the Lopez Lady Lobos this soccer season.
She is the clear choice as The Brownsville Herald’s All-Metro MVP for the girls season just completed.
As a senior team captain and valued leader, the four-year starter at center midfielder was an important reason behind her squad’s success.
In 2016, the Lady Lobos were district champions for the second time in three years and advanced to the second round of the Class 6A playoffs.
All the while, just as she had done the three previous years, Ruiz was at the center of action, creating opportunities for her teammates and scoring goals. She finished the season with 27 goals, including 19 in District 32-6A competition, along with eight assists.
“We will dearly miss Sam,” Lady Lobos coach Alex Macias said. “She brought intensity and leadership when she stepped onto the pitch. Sam’s ability to take the team on her shoulders at times and her persistence to be at a higher level was impressive. I believe the other coaches saw that in her, and that’s why she was chosen the overall MVP in 32-6A and selected as the best player in the Metro area. She’s a very humble person and always trying to help and fill in gaps on the field where they are needed.
“I guess that I’ll miss her charisma the most. As her coach, she’s funny and fun to be with, but yet she’s very serious about the game. She’s earned every recognition that she gets.”
Ruiz said she treasures her time playing for the Lady Lobos.
“It’s been an honor, especially to play for Coach Macias,” said Ruiz, who is scheduled to sign with Texas A&M International University of Laredo on Tuesday. “It’s been great to be with a group of girls who love the game as I do and who understand it. That’s all I could ever ask for.”
Fittingly, it was Ruiz who converted a penalty kick against Brownsville Veterans Memorial on March 15 to lift her team to a 1-0 overtime victory that clinched the 32-6A championship for the Lady Lobos on the final night of district action.
And now, she’s the All-Metro MVP with a lot of soccer still ahead in college.
“It’s feels good to receive an award like this, and it makes me feel that I’ve accomplished something,” Ruiz said. “It’s something I’ve been wanting to get because it’s my last year of high school and it means so much to me. I want to continue with the same determination and heart (in college).”
The Lopez standout, who plans to study psychology in college, said she is grateful for the influence of her parents, Juan Carlos and Irma Ruiz.
“My role model is my dad,” Ruiz said. “He’s always supported me in soccer and been behind me every step of the way no matter what I do. I look up to him, not only because he’s my dad, but because of the kind of man he is and for what he’s done to influence my life in a good manner. He’s the one who introduced me to soccer, and ever since then, I haven’t let go of it.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess