Shadow Ridge High School is excited to welcome junior Arielle Garcia to its Girl’s Varsity Soccer Team this season. Transferring from another school, this is her first year playing for the Mustangs, and she is already making a strong impression as a versatile and determined player.
Although she is new to the Shadow Ridge program, Garcia has been passionate about soccer for most of her life. She started playing when she was very young and has developed a strong work ethic fueled by big goals.
“I started playing soccer when I was 3 years old,” Garcia explained. “What keeps me going every day is the goal of earning a scholarship for college. That motivates me to push harder and stay focused.”
Garcia also plays for Vegas United, a competitive club team in the area. She has gained valuable experience playing in different positions and learning how to adapt quickly during games.
“At Vegas United, I play almost every position on the field except goalie,” she said. “That flexibility has helped me become a more well-rounded player and better understand the game.”
To continue improving her skills, Garcia takes private lessons outside of team practices. She credits this extra training for helping her become faster, more precise with her touches, and stronger in her shots.
“I do take private lessons regularly,” Garcia shared. “They have really helped me develop faster touches on the ball, improve my shooting accuracy, and increase my speed on the field.”
Joining a new high school team can be challenging, but Garcia feels supported by her teammates and coaches. She admires the team captains for the positive environment they create.
“My favorite thing about the captains is that they are kind and inclusive to everyone on the team,” she said. “They make sure every player feels welcomed and valued.”
One of her teammates, Elise Owens, looks forward to seeing Garcia at practice and games because she always encourages them to be a better player.
Owens mentions, “Ariella is so fun to be around, she really tries her best to be friends with everyone on the team and is very good at soccer!”
As the season begins, Garcia looks forward to both personal growth and team success. She hopes to build new friendships and contribute to Shadow Ridge’s pursuit of a state championship.
“This season, I am excited to make new friends and work hard toward winning state,” she stated. “I want to be a strong teammate and help the team reach our goals.”
Looking ahead, Garcia plans to continue playing soccer in college. She has a dream school in mind where she would love to balance academics and athletics.
“I would like to commit to a college and keep playing soccer,” she said. “My dream school is USC because I love California, especially being close to the beach. It feels like the perfect place for me to grow both on and off the field.”
Throughout her journey, Garcia’s biggest supporter has been her mom, who encourages her in everything she does.
“My mom is my biggest supporter,” Garcia mentioned. “I am deeply appreciative of her. She is not only my mom but also like my best friend who is always there to cheer me on.”
With her dedication, talent, and supportive family behind her, Garcia is set to make a lasting impact at Shadow Ridge and beyond.
