BY NATE KOTISSO | THE MONITOR
MISSION — Few Valley soccer programs have the accolades Sharyland Pioneer has at the start of its fourth varsity season. Three playoff appearances, two Sweet 16 appearances in the UIL Class 5A playoffs and, on Wednesday, the program’s first Division I signee: Andrea Reyes.
Reyes signed her national letter of intent to be a scholarship athlete at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio.
“I didn’t think something like this was possible four years ago,” Reyes said.
Reyes is an integral piece in the foundation of Diamondbacks soccer. Not only has she been a part of deep playoff runs, but Reyes has proven herself to be a formidable talent. She was named as a first-team all-district performer during her freshman and sophomore years before cutting to the chase in 2017, earning the distinction as District 31-5A’s Most Valuable Player.
Over the weekend, Reyes was named to the Border Olympics’ all-tournament team.
“Andrea is a playmaker and a leader,” Sharyland Pioneer coach J.J. Lopez said. “She’s the type of player who is basically another coach on the field. She’s not only a skilled player, but she gets everyone else around her to perform at a high level. That’s what makes her great.”
Reyes chose Incarnate Word over other Division I institutions UTRGV, UTSA and Northwestern State.
“The location and the coaching staff (at UIW) really made the difference for me,” Reyes said. “I did want to stay close to home, but I also wanted to get the full college experience outside the Valley. In reality, it was definitely the coaching staff that made me choose UIW. They were very welcoming, and I did feel at home when I arrived on my campus visit.”
Reyes shared the national signing day stage with teammate and fellow midfielder Danielle Fanning.
Fanning will compete at Manhattanville College, a Division III private college in Purchase, New York, this fall.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity to play college soccer and share the day with Andrea,” Fanning said. “She’s a phenomenal player and a great teammate. She’s worked so hard to get to where she’s at.”
“We’ve both played on the same team for four years, and she’s (Fanning) like a sister to me,” Reyes said. “It’s very emotional for the both of us.”
Wednesday served as a pause for Lopez and the Diamondbacks, who are off to a 6-0 start to the District 31-5A season.
“It’s a great day to be a Diamondback,” Lopez said. “Seeing two quality players sign in the same year gives us a lot of joy. This is their reward for all the hard work that they’ve put in through the years.”