Here at Bonita Vista High School, is a victorious girls soccer team where they have won multiple CIFs and other divisional titles. But oftentimes, people do not see the years of dedication behind every player on the field and bench. For student athletes like Victoria Sandoval, Kaileya Magno and Ava Galvan, soccer is more than just a sport; it has been an aspect of the majority of their lives. Through teamwork, constant training and perseverance, all three of them have grown with their teams and proved that success is built before the game starts.
“I’ve been playing soccer since I was four,” senior Victoria Sandoval said. “My dad kind of started me off on my journey.” With her dad’s support, Sandoval was able to begin her soccer journey, which has helped her develop into the player she is today. One who knows how to compete as a winger and midfielder as her primary positions. Sandoval approaches any game with the confidence and the focus needed to help her team succeed.
“I always keep a positive mindset and focus on what’s at hand,” Sandoval said. “I’m always on attack mode to score and help our team win.”
By having a positive mindset, Sandoval is always in the mode where her focus and determination create opportunities for her and her teammates to score and win games. Her ability to keep her focus on the game has made her a key contributor to the team’s overall success. Sandoval reflects on the team’s achievements over the years, which includes a CIF championship during her sophomore year and making it to the finals during her junior year. She says it is due to strong coaching and their team bonding on and off the field.
“Overall, it’s just routine, training and working hard,” Sandoval said. “As a whole team, we’ve bonded and achieved our goals.”
Senior Kaileya Magno is a teammate of Sandoval’s. Magno discovered her love for soccer at a young age as well. Magno quickly found her love in the competition and teamwork that the sport offers.
“My parents put me in it [soccer] when I was very small, and I just fell in love with it,” Magno said. “I enjoyed it every time I went and played a game.”
Magno is a center back and full back, a position which is crucial to the team’s defense. Her positive mindset before games helps her stay confident and helps her communicate better on the field, which is needed since this team is known for playing in the top divisions.
“I’ve been playing soccer since I was five years old.” Junior Ava Galvan said. “My sister started playing soccer when I was little so that made my parents put me in the sport. And then I just started playing from there.”Galvan has been playing for a long time as a center midfielder. Ava started her journey on behalf of her sister when she was little. Although she was previously undecided, her parents signed her up to begin the sport that she enjoys now.
“I like to listen to some music before my game and then I just like to visualize what I’m going to do in the game and how I’m gonna perform,” Galvan said. She expressed the way she motivates herself before a game, like listening to music and visualizing what skills she’ll use during the game.
“I usually like to do some drills during training on my own. I like to do certain footwork drills. When I’m with my trainer I have a plan on how I’m going to develop my game and continue to get better,” Galvan said. She elevates her skill to another level by attending practices that are being coached by an adult and doing drills in her free time. “Practice makes perfect” is a quote that can identify Galvans time and it’s something she’ll use during her soccer journey.
“After games I like to sit down and watch films. So, if we play like a really good team, I like to watch and correct what I’ve been doing,” Galvan said. Galvan enjoys relaxing, watching her films to correct things in order to be a better player. She puts a certain amount of positive pressure on herself to achieve the goals and end stuff she has started.
“I always try to stay positive and tell myself I can do it and just go out there and have fun,” Mangno said.
