By ROY HESS | Staff Writer
Better than going alone to college on a soccer scholarship is going with a friend who is a teammate from high school.
Rivera senior soccer players Marlen Mendieta and Hailey Pena signed athletic scholarship agreements Thursday at the school auditorium to play their sport next school year at Texas College in Tyler. It’s an NAIA Division I school that competes in the Red River Athletic Conference.
Both have played varsity soccer for most, if not all, their high school years after learning to play the game at an early age.
Thursday was a day of celebration for the two players, their families, friends, teammates, coaches and everyone else present.
Getting an opportunity to play soccer at the next level is a dream come true for both girls.
“ This is really exciting,” said Mendieta, a defender and defensive midfielder for the Lady Raiders. “It’s something I really wasn’t expecting, but it’s here, and I’m really glad to be signing.”
Added Pena, who started two seasons at Hanna before transferring to Rivera and starting two more years as a forward, “This day means a lot to me, especially because I didn’t (originally) believe I would be able to sign after suffering some injuries. But thank God, I was able to do it, so this moment is what I’ve been waiting for ever since I learned how to kick a soccer ball.
“ I know I’ll face some challenges over there in Tyler (adapting to college ball),” Pena added. “And I know I’m going to be able to overcome them so I can move on to the next level of soccer after college.”
Pena plans to major in forensic science and computer science. Mendieta plans to pursue a degree in social work.
Going to Texas College together to play soccer is an ideal situation, they say.
“ (Having Hailey sign too) makes it a lot easier to go over there,” Mendieta said. “It’s always good to know someone (in a new place). I’ve met most of the girls from the team, which is good.
“ I’m really proud I was able to play with the Lady Raiders,” Mendieta added. “It helped me build a family with the team. You need family wherever you go.”
Added Pena, “I’m pretty excited that I’m going over there to Tyler with Marlen. She’ll make me feel like I’m at home because I’m taking a part of Brownsville with me.”
Pena had a particular person in mind to credit at Thursday’s signing event.
“ I’d really just like to thank my dad (David Pena) because without him, I wouldn’t be here (signing) after suffering my injuries,” she said.
This was Eduardo Torres’ first season as the Lady Raiders’ main coach after serving as the team’s assistant the previous year. Thursday marked the signing of his first college recruits.
“ It feels excellent with this being my first year as the head coach and signing two players,” Torres said. “It’s all because of the hard work they’ve put in out on the field. They never stopped believing and they never stopped trying. What can I say? These two are excellent athletes. They are also excellent people, and I just want to congratulate them for all their hard work, not only on the field, but off the field as well.
“ Marlen is very aggressive playing on defense,” Torres added. “She goes for every ball and knows how to use her body well (as a defender). Hailey is a striker. (Still) you can always count on her to be the first one defending off the ball when the other team is trying to attack, even though she’s an offensive player.
“ If you give Hailey the ball, she’s going to score. She does not give up. Hailey’s hard-headed that way, but it’s what makes her an excellent player.”