Georgina Hernandez, a sophomore defender for the UTRGV Women’s Soccer Team, moved to the Rio Grande Valley when she was 5 years old and has been playing soccer ever since. She attended McAllen Memorial High School and was team captain during her junior and senior years. She made her debut with UTRGV two years ago in a game against the University of Texas at San Antonio and has played in 21 games.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: “Well, obviously, soccer is a big hobby of mine. I’ve been playing since I was 5 [years old]. I got into golf recently … hanging out with friends. … I love cooking. I’m also a big nerd when it comes to school.”
Q: What are your plans for the future in soccer?
A: “I have two years of eligibility left, so I plan to finish those. I plan to finish this year and graduate, then play while doing a master’s. Outside of school, I don’t plan on taking it further than that. I want to pursue a career in the medical field.”
Q: What are your career plans?
A: “[I plan on] graduating with a bachelor’s in biology and then I want to do a master’s in biomedical science or bio ethics, then, four-year medical school. I’m looking at being a pediatrician, but that can always change once you’re in medical school. Ultimately, that’s the goal.”
Q: Who inspires you?
A: “I think my parents. I know that sounds cliche, but it’s the truth. I am the way I am because of them. I look up to them a lot. Their work ethic is a big part of my work ethic. … Both my parents moved here from Mexico and worked super hard. My sister as well. … She graduated from [Texas ] A&M [University]. She’s a smart girl and hardworking. I try to follow that path. Outside of the family, Megan Rapinoe is a big influence. We wear the same number. She plays the same position. She’s a big advocate of a lot of things that, nowadays, need to be advocated. She’s a big feminist and that’s a big to deal to a lot of us in women’s sports. … That is someone I try to be like and try and play like.”
Q: What motivates you?
A: “Family motivates me a lot, making my family proud and kind of giving back for what they did. I know they put a lot into my school and into soccer. I know everyone who plays club knows the sacrifices parents make for that. So, ultimately, coming out of school and out of soccer every day, I’m working to make people around me proud. But I think making myself proud is a big deal. You’re your biggest judge and I live by that every day. I evaluate myself a lot and making myself proud is a big deal. My teammates are a big deal. … Old teammates, new teammates, coaches, they are all rooting for me. … Making them proud is a big motivation.”
Q: What has been your proudest moment?
A: “I think it has to be signing to a [Division 1] school. That’s a dream people don’t realize is hard to achieve no matter how long you’ve played or how good you are. There are a lot of aspects to being signed to a Division 1 college. You have to have the right personality, the right mentality. Before being signed, my club team went to nationals, which was a big deal. [It was the] first time for the Rio Grande Valley to see a group of women go all the way up to nationals. … I think it translated into me having the drive to come play in college. I think, schoolwise, I’ve been very successful. … I did pretty good in high school. … Graduating top of the class is a big deal to me.”
–Compiled by Jose Medina
