Two Jerseys, Two Programs: Southwestern soccer players save women’s basketball season

CHULA VISTA – The Southwestern College women's basketball team began its competitive season in January with 11 women's soccer players on the active roster.  Due to injuries, departures, and lack of numbers, the initial team roster was depleted and therefore questions regarding the viability of the 2023-24 season arose, according to Director of Athletics, Ron Valenzuela. "We notified the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference and respective Athletic Directors that our only intention was to field a team. Southwestern College Athletics has an obligation, responsibility, and commitment to our women's basketball program, the College and Conference to fulfill. We are extremely thankful to the 11 soccer players, many of whom have never played competitive basketball for their desire, courage, optimism, and determination to compete and Carolina Soto, head women's soccer coach, for her encouragement and support". 

In today's era of increased sport specialization, Southwestern College does a terrific job of welcoming and embracing student-athletes with multiple interests, and there is a huge emphasis on being well-rounded. Playing two different sports at the collegiate level is no easy task, however many athletic movements are transferable, and these women attack and run the floor, have spatial awareness and quickness, a high work rate, competitive drive, and unflappable team unity.

Resilience taps into your ability to adapt as it relies on self-knowledge (who we are) and self-awareness (what we do). Resilient teams consist of players who have the adaptive mindsets to manage the intangibles (unknown obstacles, attitude about ability, and no fear of failure).  The 11 soccer/basketball players are resilient and incorporate resilience as a key element of their persona to harness the inner strength that helps them rebound from setbacks or challenges as well as thrive, grow and be effective in the face of uncertainty and adversity. 

Freshman guards, Ariana Lieras and Gialli Francisco are first-team all-PCAC soccer players who seized the opportunity to be dual-sport college athletes. Ariana shared that "as a soccer player on the women's basketball team, I've enjoyed that the sport has brought us closer together during this unexpected learning experience. We have more unison with each other and continue to build our chemistry on the basketball court which will also translate to the soccer field. Gialli added, "Being part of the basketball team is a daily learning experience filled with skill-building, and the experience is helping us grow as players and individuals. Composure, resilience and the importance of having fun while working hard are things I've gained a better understanding of. We stepped up when needed, and surprisingly, we're better with our feet."                

Valenzuela added, "Watching our 2023-24 women's soccer/basketball team compete brings a pure sense of joy and selflessness that at times can be absent from many intercollegiate teams. When sports reflected the kind of game life should be instead of an opposing simulation of competition in society."

(Courtesy Southwestern College Athletics)