BROWNSVILLE — When Texas Southmost College announced it would be bringing back the soccer program, it said it would focus heavily on recruiting local talent.
The Brownsville college stuck by its word Thursday by signing its first player to both the men’s and women’s programs.
Brownsville IDEA Riverview’s Haziel Mejia, for the men’s team, and Mia Ramos, for the women’s team, have the honor of being the first signings in any sporting program in more than one decade as TSC prepares for September, when they are set to compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Former Brownsville Pace head boys soccer coach Mario Zamora is set to coach Ramos and Mejia in September.
“It is an honor to be signing two talented players,” Zamora said. “Haziel and Mia are two talented players. I have been waiting for them to become Scorpions officially.”
Only a handful of girls around the Rio Grande Valley have scored more goals than Ramos entering the week. Ramos had 26 goals to her name coming into Tuesday night.
“I feel really proud of myself,” Ramos said. “I am thankful the opportunity, and more importantly, thankful that my family has been watching me succeed.”
Ramos is happy to be staying home in Brownsville, she said.
Mejia is grateful for the opportunity to be playing the sport he loves in Brownsville as well, he said.
Like Ramos, Mejia entered the week as a top scorer in the Valley. Mejia has 23 goals in District 32-4A. Only one player from the Valley had more district goals than Mejia entering this week of action.
Mejia is pleased that is hard work is paying off.
“I feel good about signing,” Mejia said. “I am nervous but excited about the opportunity that I am receiving.”
The college is eyeing other players around the Valley in the coming weeks as the end of the soccer season approaches.
“We believe in the RGV talent,” Zamora said. “We believe in local players. They deserve an opportunity at the college level. TSC is giving that opportunity to them.”