""The coach left for another job, and that had a big influence," Villalpando said. "I talked to my agent and my family, and although it wasn't an easy decision, I felt that after playing the minutes I played at Tigres and competing with professionals, going to college soccer would be a step backward in my development.""
""In my last year with San Diego Surf, it wasn't as competitive anymore. Many players who were already committed to universities didn't attend practices, and I felt that in order to continue growing and preparing myself, I needed a better working environment," Villalpando said."
""The entire staff was very understanding and happy for me. They were sad that I wasn't joining them but they supported me completely and that helped me a lot to feel at peace with the decision," Villalpando said."
Mia Villalpando, 17, from Bonita, Calif., signed an Under-19 contract with Tigres UANL Femenil that preserved her college eligibility and trained in Mexico. She initially committed to UCLA and accepted a full scholarship but reconsidered after Margueritte Aozasa, the Bruins coach who recruited her, departed for another job. Villalpando consulted her agent and family and concluded that playing minutes with Tigres against professionals offered stronger development than college soccer. She spoke with new UCLA coach Gof Boyoko, who and his staff expressed understanding and support. A less competitive final year with San Diego Surf reinforced her decision, and her impact on Tigres exceeded expectations.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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