Soccer success — Abril Soto signs a letter of intent to play for Jarvis Christian University on Wednesday, July 16. Seated next to her are her father, Alex, and mother, Veronica. Standing from left are San Benito Lady Greyhounds Soccer Head Coach Wilbert Padron, SBCISD Athletics Coordinator Ramiro Partida, Jr., San Benito High School Principal Manuela Lopez, and Lady ‘Hounds Assistant Coach Pedro Contreras. (Courtesy photo/Albert Villegas)
By ALBERT VILLEGAS
Special to the NEWS
Jarvis Christian University in Hawkins is the next stop in the athletic chapter of Abril Soto’s young life after she signed a scholarship to play for the women’s soccer program.
She made her intent official on Wednesday, July 16 inside the San Benito High School gymnasium, a place within walking distance of where she practiced and competed at Bobby Morrow Stadium for the Lady Greyhounds the past few years.
“I’m really excited about the opportunity I’ve been given to play at Jarvis and representing San Benito; it’s been a while since our program had (a collegiate signing) because we are up and coming just like where I’m going to be at,” Soto said as she sat in front of an adoring audience made up of dozens of family members, friends, and former teammates and coaches.
School administrators were also on hand, including Athletics Coordinator Ramiro Partida, Jr., who introduced the crowd to Soto, who received all-district honorable mention forward her junior year and all-district second team forward her senior year.
Her last match in the Rio Grande Valley was in May during the East/West All-Star soccer game at Weslaco’s Bobby Lackey Stadium.
The number 11 jersey she donned that day was among the other tops she displayed on the table when she signed sitting alongside her father, Alex, and mother, Veronica.
Soto has competed in the sport since she was a little girl and played under her father.
Soto has seen success at times, but unfortunately that didn’t happen her senior year at SBHS. Nevertheless, the opportunity presented her with an opportunity to take her talents to the next level.
Lady ‘Hounds’ Coach Wilbert Padron said Soto played every field position except goalie, and had invaluable presence on the field for the Lady ’Hounds.
“She played it all; at defense she played fullback. She also played both central and wide midfielder. Her goals and assists came from playing wide forward this past season,” Padron said. “What stands out most about Abril is her versatility and leadership. She played multiple positions over the years; wherever the team needed her, that’s where she stepped in. She set the standard for effort and attitude. Abril grew into a true leader and left a lasting mark on this program, both statistically and through her example.”
This past season, as a senior captain, Soto led SBHS in goal/assist combinations (12 goals/6 assists).
Referring it to as a potential “home away from home”, Soto said there are many similarities with Jarvis, which is north of Tyler in the pines woods of East Texas.
It’s a growing program with athletes hungry to win, the makeup of the team heavily Latino, including the coach, who is from Venezuela.
Soto said she was humbled by the outpouring of support she received at her signing.
“I’m extremely grateful. The people that are here made an impact on my life, during good times, and even bad times when I needed encouragement and love.”
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