SportStars™ Magazine

Star of the week

After hobbling through a grueling non-league schedule, Pilar Souder and the College Park girls soccer team are galloping through their Diablo Valley Athletic League competition. Through games played on Jan. 26, the Falcons were a sizzling 9-0 in the DVAL with three league games remaining. The junior midfielder serves as one of the catalysts for a squad that's peaking at the right time.

SportStars Magazine: With the season winding down, do your and your teammates feel the pressure coming from league opponents? 

Pilar Souder: It's not really pressure, it's definitely excitement. It's just exciting to be undefeated and thinking about winning. We feel the pressure when game time is coming.

SSM: Your team has many weapons. How crucial is that moving into the postseason?

PS: Especially when we're playing a good team, we're not relying on one person. We can rely on anybody on any given day.

SSM: You guys had a rough stretch in December losing four of five games. What did you learn from that? 

PS: We had the Tri-Valley Tournament. The teams we were playing were a lot better than the teams we play in league. In December, that's when we started playing together. We're playing more as a team now. That's contributed to our success. 

PILAR’S QUICK HITS

Favorite athlete: Landon Donovan

Favorite subject: Photography

Favorite Starbucks item: Green Tea lemonade w/ Passion Tea

Honorable Mention

Erick De La Pena — The Newark Memorial junior midfielder racked up two goals and an assist in a league win over Kennedy on Jan. 20. He also added an assist in a 2-0 over American on Jan. 25. 

Shannon Mauldin — The senior guard led St. Mary's to an upset over Berkeley 54-49 on Jan. 21. She led all scorers with 21 points. She also posted a game-high 21 points in a big 43-39 league win over Salesian on Jan. 28.

Fernando Felix — The De La Salle sophomore scored two goals in a crucial East Bay Athletic League win over Monte Vista on Jan. 24. De La Salle is now the only undefeated team in EBAL play.