FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
Thanks in part to its strong core of senior leadership, the La Feria Lionettes soccer team reached a historical milestone after defeating Somerset 3-0 in the area round on Tuesday.
The Valley Morning star had a chance to catch up with three of the Lionettes’ seniors and get to know them a little bit better.
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CLEO RODRIGUEZ
Q: The team is having one of its best seasons in recent memory. What has been the team’s motivation this year?
CLEO: The reward of making history for the Lionettes soccer program has been a huge factor in the motivation of the team. We all came together with a common goal in mind, which was to work our hardest in order to accomplish something that has never been done before.
Q: If you could have dinner with anybody, who would it be with and why?
CLEO: I would have dinner with Lionel Messi because he is a great soccer player that I would love to be able to converse with and pick up a few pointers from.
Q: What’s the best advice you would give to the future athletes ready to get started in soccer?
CLEO: In order to succeed you must work your hardest; not for those around you, but for yourself. Embrace the opportunities that are given to you, whether it’s practice or games because all of it will pay off in the end. Everything is a mental game that you must be prepared to take on head first.
Q: What is the team’s mentality heading into Saturday’s game?
CLEO: By becoming the area champions, we have already made history in La Feria but we hope to make it even further to set a goal for the teams that follow. I am confident in my team’s abilities and I hope to continue the good fight for my final year.
CLARISSA GARZA
Q: What has been the biggest hurdle the team has had to overcome this season?
CLARISSA: The biggest hurdle we had to overcome as a team this year was preseason. This year we played a lot of teams that gave us good experience to prepare for a higher level of play, but we lost more than we won and it was discouraging. As a team it took a while to realize that if we wanted to win we would need to work harder at practice and play to our best ability in every game. Once we started playing games and practicing with a new, positive mentality, we started growing as a team and that has put us in the position we are in now.
Q: Knowing the team had not been past the area round, what was the mentality like heading into the game against Somerset on Tuesday?
CLARISSA: Going into the game against Somerset, we focused on what we could improve on the field to make us better as a team. Leading up to the game, we had a strong and focused mentality, and we knew we would have to play together in order to make history and win. We talked about staying positive no matter what and letting all the hours of practice we put in get us the win and it did.
Q: What has been the most exciting moment of your soccer career?
CLARISSA: The most exciting moment of my soccer career was by junior year in the second round of district against Rio Hondo. Going into the game, we each had one district loss and knew the game was for the league title. After a scoreless first half, our team was fouled in the box and we were awarded a penalty kick. Coach asked me to take the penalty kick and I made it. That was the most exciting moment because after I made the goal the whole team worked together to hold the lead and we won 1-0 giving us the district title.
Q: If you had a time machine would you go to the past or to the future?
CLARISSA: If I had time machine, I would go to the future because at this point in my life I’m excited for the future and would like to see where I am in the next few years. I wouldn’t like to go to the past because everything that has happened has made me the person I am and I wouldn’t change it.
CHELSEA ZUNIGA
Q: What was the first thing you did Tuesday after the whistle blew and you knew you had just become the first team to get past the area round?
CHELSEA: My initial response was to cry and scream because it was the most exciting experience, and I was so proud of my team. We’ve been through a good season and I’m proud of them for pushing so hard to win. We’ve worked so hard and I feel like we deserve to go far. We want it and we’re not going down without a fight. I believe in my team.
Q: When you look back at you high school career, what is your one memory that you are going to remember most?
CHELSEA: I’m going to remember soccer. Soccer has been an amazing experience for me. It helped me push myself past my limits and show me what I’m really capable of. It has helped me build up confidence and has really made my high school years ones to remember. It will forever hold a special place in my heart. These girls are amazing and I love them all very much.
Q: You’re a senior this season. What are you going to miss the most after you graduate?
CHELSEA: I’m going to miss having fun with the team. My teammates have always pushed each other to keep fighting and motivating each other to keep going. I’m going to miss playing soccer with them and having all of the fun and laughs. Every day in practice we enjoy having fun and trying new things.
Q: If you could have one super power which would it be and why?
CHELSEA: I would fly. I would want to go beyond places other people couldn’t and be able to see a new perspective on things.