(Left to right) La Joya's Edith Hernandez and Mayra Solis, UTB/TSC women's soccer coach Nik Barjaktarevic, and Harlingen's Tiffany Hernandez at ceremony for UTB/TSC women's soccer.

Three Valley Players Sign Soccer Letters of Intent   

Posted May 4, 2007
Three women's soccer players, two from La Joya and one from Harlingen, have signed letters of intent to play for the UTB/TSC Scorpions starting the fall of 2007.

Defender Edith Hernandez and forward Mayra Solis, both from La Joya High School, and midfielder Tiffany Hernandez from Harlingen High School signed to play for the Scorpions in a ceremony Tuesday, May 8.

"All three players we are signing are coming from good high school programs, had good coaching, and besides being excellent soccer players they are very good in the classroom as well," Scorpion women's head soccer coach Nik Barjaktarevic said.

 

The first two players to sign were UTB/TSC students Linette Cuvillier of Los Fresnos and Samantha Lee Thorman of Harlingen High School.

 

The women’s soccer team begins play Thursday, August 23, 2007 against the Instituto Tecnologico Superiores de Poza Rica Petroleros. 

 

Edith Hernandez

Hernandez, the District 30-5A Co-Most Valuable Player, was a defender for the Coyotes, who were 15-5-3 and advanced to the Region IV-5A quarterfinals. She was a member of the Spanish Club and Hylo Club, which performs community service.  She has been playing soccer since the 7th grade.

 

"I get to play and I get to study, so this is great," Hernandez said. "It's close to home, but far enough away so I can be independent."

 

"Edith should have an easy transition to the college game," Barjaktarevic said. "She is a smart defender that plays simple, and is very dangerous on set plays."

 

Tiffany Hernandez

Hernandez was a midfielder for the Cardinals, and also played volleyball and basketball for the Cardinals. She was in the Top 10 percent of her class and has been playing since she was six years old.

 

"Tiffany is a fighter in the midfield and is working non-stop throughout the game." Barjaktarevic said. "She is also top 10% academically in her graduating class."

 

"I wanted to keep playing and this is close to home," Hernandez said. "I like to play aggressively and get to every ball. I also want to be part of history of the first college women's soccer program in the Valley."

 

Mayra Solis

Solis, a First Team All-District 30-5A selection, was also a member of the Hylo Club at La Joya. She has been playing soccer since she was 10 years, playing with boys because there were no girls' teams.

 

"Mayra is someone that I’ve heard about quite a bit from other high school coaches and hope she will add a lot of firepower to our front line," Barjaktarevic said. "Her speed and technical ability on the ball will match well with our other forwards and hope this trend of coaches knowing and watching for her continues."

 

"I was hoping to continue playing soccer in college and this is an opportunity to play," Solis said. "A lot of people in my family play soccer and many of my cousins have all been into soccer. I've learned a lot from them."