By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
Amanda Alanizis happy because her soccer career will extend beyond high school.
The standout Hanna goalkeeper, a three-year starter, has signed to play for the University of Houston-Victoria.
“I feel very honored that I was given the chance to continue to play soccer,” said Alaniz, an all-district and All-Metro performer. “I worked hard to grow as a goalkeeper in my four years of high school, and I’m happy that it paid off. I’ve spent countless hours of time training on the weekends and traveling in club (play) to be able to get the practice and exposure I needed to play in college. It’s not a chance everybody gets to have, and now, I just need to continue to work hard to compete at the college level.”
Alaniz was the goalkeeper for a Hanna team that finished second in an ultra-competitive District 32-6A this season with an 11-3 record. The Lady Golden Eagles advanced two rounds in the state playoffs.
“It was an honor to be playing with such talented teammates,” Alaniz said. “Starting from the defense to the forwards, we were all very strong individually and even stronger together. My sophomore year, when all the great freshmen came in such as Frida Palomo, Natalie Garcia, Adrienne Davis, Sam Rodriguez and others, I never knew how close we’d grow together on and off the field.
“I won’t forget the life-long friendships that were formed in the soccer program,” she added. “Every year we were fortunate to make the playoffs, and traveling with my team had to be the most enjoyable part of the season.”
Alaniz plans to study nursing in college.
“I would just add a special thank you to my mom (Diana Garza), dad (Alejandro Alaniz Sr.), grandma (Trini Messmer) and brothers (Alejandro Alaniz Jr. and Matthew Alaniz),” the graduating senior said. “They supported me at every soccer game for my three years on the varsity. They are my backbone, and they are the reason I made it to play college soccer. Their constant motivation pushed me to believe in myself.
“Also, I’d like to thank Daniel Reyna, my club coach, for pushing me in my practices,” Alaniz added. “He was constantly on my case in goalkeeping training and was able to help me mature into the goalkeeper I am now.”
Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess.