Making the transition from high school to college sports can be intimidating, stressful and a struggle for many incoming freshman. But for Cowgirls soccer forward Sekoya Romero the transition has been almost seamless.
Sekoya has had field-time in every game this season for the Cowgirls and started in the last four. She has also scored two goals.
“I really wasn’t expecting to play at all,” Sekoya said. “This level is just so competitive and I was really coming in wanting to learn and get to that point, but I definitely wasn’t expecting to start off right away.”
Sekoya is one of eight freshmen that have made quite a statement with their abilities throughout these first few weeks.
“It’s exciting for the future and it’s exciting for the current,” head coach Pete Cuadrado said. “It’s fun to see them (the freshmen) take the opportunities and make the best of them. We knew we had a good group coming in and I think they’ve shown well on the field so far.”
Sekoya scored her first regular season goal against Southern Utah University on September 14 in Cedar City, Utah. Her goal tied the game and after an own goal from Southern Utah the Cowgirls won a game that the team gives credit to Sekoya.
“Right after I scored I didn’t know what happened for a second,” Sekoya laughed. “Then I realized that, like, it went in and it was really exciting.”
Even though it may seem like Sekoya has adapted fully to playing at the collegiate level, she still has a lot to learn and has her own reservations about playing some times. “Every time going into the game, when he calls my name, my heart literally sinks into my stomach and I get so nervous, but it’s kind of exciting at the same time.”
“I think she did take a little bit to get going,” coach Cuadrado said. “With Sekoya we always knew we were getting a fast aggressive player. I think for her just adjusting to the physicality of the game was the biggest step. But once she did I think she’s done really well.”
With so much left in this season and her college career, Sekoya has the chance to progress a lot from where she already is, something she and her coaches are planning on.
“I definitely want to improve more this season and hopefully get some more goals,” Sekoya said. “We definitely want a Mountain West conference championship at the end of this, so I guess that’s my goal as well.”
“I think she’s got a great foundation and the one thing we can’t teach is speed,” coach Cuadrado said. “The mentality that she brings is another thing that’s tough to teach. I think she can make a big impact for our program because at this point it’s just going to be fine-tuning. Things like being able to strike the ball well, being able to use both feet and learning how to put herself in the right positions.”
The Cowgirls will return home next Friday, October 5 to take on Colorado College.
