Varsity girl’s soccer captains Shaina Conliffe and Valeria De La Torre have worked hard to be the student athletes they are today. Del La Torre barely joined the soccer team last season and proved to be a vital player by the start of the 2015 season. Conliffe started playing soccer when she was seven. Her elite skills have gained the Gondos many victories. These two players not only strive to be the best on the field but in class as well.

Valeria De La Torre, Defender, #6

1. When did you first start playing soccer?

Junior year.

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

One of my strengths has been never giving up on the field, even if we take an L (loss) and one of my weaknesses has been my footwork.

3. What is your most memorable moment in all your seasons?

My most memorable moment has been when Shaina dropped her phone in the toilet right before one of our games and Mona had to get it out. I got it all on Snapchat.

4. What is your favorite soccer team?

Mexico’s national soccer team.

5. What are your hobbies outside of soccer?

My hobbies are watching documentaries on Third World countries.

6. What college do you hope to attend in the fall of 2016?

Cal State Fullerton or Cal State Long Beach.

7.  Who is someone that inspires you?

My dad. He’s inspired me to always be the best person I can be and take opportunities.

8. Who do you have to thank for all your achievements?

My parents. I love making them happy.

9. Do you have any words of advice for student athletes?

Don’t be tempted into eating those Hot Cheetos because you’ll regret it during practice.

10. What does it mean to you to be a Gondo?

To me, being a Gondo means achieving  something great.

Shaina Conliffe, forward, #7

1. When did you first start playing soccer?

I’ve been playing since I was seven years old.

2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

A strength I have on the field would be being able to create quick plays. A weakness would be not keeping my cool when an opposing player hurts one of my teammates on purpose because they’re like sisters to me.

3. What is your most memorable moment in all your seasons?

The night game against LACES would be my favorite moment because we beat them. Well I mean we always beat them, but that time they were trash talking about my girls. We responded on the field.

4. What is your favorite soccer team?

That would be between the UNWST and Real Madrid.

5. What are your hobbies outside of soccer?

I like working because of the paycheck I get every week.

6. What college do you hope to attend fall of 2016?

UCLA.

7. Who is someone that inspires you?

Marta De Silva. She’s one of the greatest female soccer players.

8. Who do you have to thank for all your achievements?

I have to thank my mom for all of my achievements; she’s always encouraged me.

9. Do you have any words of advice for student athletes?

Being a student athlete comes with a lot of responsibility, but you have to learn to prioritize your schoolwork first.

10. What does it mean to you to be a Gondo?

Being a Gondo brings me pride, because I can brag about going to a school with high academic achievements.