By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Hanna Lady Eagles teammates Ana Barragan and Kristy Herrera created a dynamic duo on the pitch throughout high school.
Now, the best friends will take their chemistry to Texas A&M-San Antonio.
“All of the four years they have been here, they were excellent players,” Lady Eagles coach Eliseo Guzman said. “They have been very fundamental to the team. They love the sport, very hard workers and are very coachable.”
Texas A&M-San Antonio’s Fredy Sanguinetti will coach the duo next.
“I got the job Feb. 7,” he said. “I contacted their club coach, Pedro Diaz, that same day. I viewed film on (Feb. 8), and I was here the next day after that.
“Unbelievable, the duo that they make. I cannot wait until Aug. 18, when our first game is, and see what we can put out there on the field.”
Barragan scored 165 goals during her Lady Eagles career as a striker for the school.
“It has always been a dream to play college soccer,” she said. “I worked really hard. I started playing when I was 7 years old, training every day with my dad. I did not get to go to parties or any events I wanted to go to because I had to train. Looking back at that, I do not regret it.”
Barragan received plenty of assists from Herrera, an attacking midfielder, even before high school. The two have been teammates since they were 9 years old.
“Honestly, I was not going to sign as a freshman,” Herrera said. “Now that I am a senior, I have someone to play with and go to college with. I am actually pretty excited to play. I am pretty proud of myself. I want to make everybody proud, especially that ones that look up to me. I am super happy about it.”
The duo is excited to continue playing together at the next level. Barragan said she does not need to call for the ball, Herrera knows where she is at.
“It is always me and her,” Herrera said. “I really like playing with her, our chemistry is incredible. I would not be here without her.”
Barragan plans to study nursing, and Herrera plans on studying computer science while in San Antonio.
The Texas A&M-San Antonio Jaguars compete in the Red River Conference of the NAIA.