“She was not big in stature but played like she was eight feet tall and not afraid of anybody.”
Those were the words used by Nadia Colon’s high school Coach Mike Sica.
Nadia Colon is one of 13 new student-athletes with UTRGV women’s soccer. Colon, a freshman defender from Miami, was a member of the 2020 Florida 5A State Championship team at Archbishop McCarthy high school her senior year.
Despite the wild ride that high school was, from a young age, Colon has always had her mind set on playing at the Division I level.
“I was little, and I always said that I wanted to play Division I soccer, it was a set goal and I was hungry for it and here we are,” Colon said.
Colon also joins UTRGV with international experience. Being a member of the U-20 Dominican Republic national team and going on a historic run at the 2020 Women’s U-20 CONCACAF Championship at only age 17.
Unfortunately, Colon and the Dominican Republic were bounced in the semi-finals by the number one ranked U-20 national team and eventual winners of the CONCACAF championship, the U.S.
Yet, Colon said the memories she made at the tournament will never leave her.
“It was amazing for us to have that run and even though it was cut short by the U.S. it was a great game and it was a great fight and we made history so it couldn’t have been any better,” she said.
Although the WAC has suspended all 2020 fall sports due to concerns over COVID-19, UTRGV women’s soccer Head Coach Glad Bugariu expects Colon to fit into his program and provide offense from the backline.
“So, we rely on players of her quality to give us width and attacking from deeper areas, so she fits into our philosophy really well,” Bugariu said.
Colon off the pitch will be studying business finance, saying her mom’s work in real estate and her dad’s painting company interested her. In the future, Colon is looking to open her own company.
For more updates and highlights, visit GOUTRGV.com
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