Being one of the four youngest players on the girls varsity soccer team hasn’t stopped freshman Ariana Escobedo from being a confident player and an excellent asset to the team, according to players and the coach.

Escobedo first found a love for soccer playing on a recreational team starting at the age of 6, then tried out for Wenatchee Fire when she was 10 and has been playing ever since. Although she also participates in track and field, soccer has always been Escobedo’s main sport and focus.

Soccer first clicked as a passion to her during the first memorable game she played in at the age of 7. Escobedo had started with the ball in the middle of the field, then dribbled up through several defenders and scored. She said it was a very rewarding moment and knew right then that soccer was the sport for her.

“I like the feel of soccer, and how it’s not just an individual sport but a team effort,” Escobedo said. She decided to try out for the high school team because she said it was something new, more interactive, and fun.

Senior midfielder Kate Thies notices that on top of being friendly, Escobedo brings a really positive attitude and good work ethic in practice and on the field.

“She does really well in the midfield, especially in our recent game against Moses Lake. She also does a good job of never giving up on the ball,” Thies said.

Although the season was off to a shaky start, center midfielder Escobedo said the players have been improving on their goals of consistency and being aggressive.

If anything has set her back on the field during all of her years of playing so far, it would be her issue of self-confidence.

“Sometimes I lose confidence in myself and it transfers to how I play in the game, so I talk to others and get reminders that I am a valuable player,” Escobedo shares.

Freshman teammate Allie Flynn has been playing alongside Escobedo for 6 years now, including being on the same Fire team. Flynn believes that Escobedo is very fast and skilled with her feet, but she has always been very quiet which led to some difficulties in communication.

“Ever since the high school season started, I’ve noticed that she’s grown more vocal on and off the field,” Flynn said.

“Ariana is an extremely skilled player with great patience and confidence on the field. She has provided good consistent play in our midfield and is adjusting well to the physical play at the high school level,” WHS girls soccer Coach John Springer said. “She is going to be a major contributor to our program.”

She looks up to senior teammate Katie Michkiosky as a role model on the field, because they play the same position and Escobedo pays close attention to what Michkiosky does and applies it to her own learning.

Escobedo’s Fire coach, Mike Osborn, has been an inspirational mentor to her because she feels that he’s done great things to help all his players, is very understanding, and pushes her to do her best.

With the help of her team, Escobedo’s goal for the season is to make it to State.