Matadors send 24 athletes to next level

Arizona Western College soccer players are taking their talents across the country

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - It was a day of celebration at Arizona Western College, as the Matadors honored their sophomore soccer players with a sendoff marking the next step in their academic and athletic careers.

Aiki Sadaoka was one of 24 players from the men's and women's programs who signed with four-year colleges and universities across the country, highlighting a milestone moment for both teams.

While the ceremony celebrated the future, it also reflected on the journey that brought the athletes to this point.

The men's program had seven players recognized at the ceremony and will send 12 total to the next level.

The women's team matched that mark, sending all 12 sophomores to four-year schools, the most in program history.

For AWC women's coach Victor Verdugo, the moment carried added significance as his first recruiting class prepares to move on.

"This is my first group that I brought in, and I couldn't be proud of them any more than you see," Verdugo said. "I love that when they walk around campus, they represent all of us, they represent what we aspired for as a program."

Sophomore defender Alison Peralta, who is headed to William Carey University, said Arizona Western played a major role in her development.

"I'm feeling great, so blessed, and I'm so happy for continuing my journey," Peralta said. "I think AWC was so special for me, so I'm so excited about the next level, but also I'm going to miss this a lot."

That sentiment was shared throughout the group, including Juliana Negrete Felix, who will continue her career at New Mexico State.

"I think for all of them, my team, this college, I am so grateful for the opportunity," Negrete Felix said. "I leave here with great memories. I remember every day, every soccer game."

Each player's path to the next level was different.

For Sadaoka, the opportunity came through a connection with Indiana Tech.

"Indiana Tech's coach, he said, 'You're a good player, and I need you,' and I was interested to go there," Sadaoka said. "They gave me a lot of scholarship and I signed."

The ceremony served as both a celebration of accomplishments and a sendoff for a group that made its mark on the program.