Photo Courtesy UTRGV Athletics
Psychology junior Kryssie Rivera is a member of the UTRGV Women’s Soccer Team. She began her collegiate athletic career in 2018 with her debut at the UTRGV vs. Texas Southern University game on Aug. 17, 2018. She played a career high of 83 minutes at the UTRGV vs. Texas Lutheran University game on Sept. 26, 2019. Throughout her sophomore year, Rivera played in 18 matches during the season.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of soccer?
A: “It’s helped my mental [state], only because, you know, there’s not really much I turn to when I’m feeling, like, emotional or, like, upset or sad. So usually, my go to is playing soccer and it’s helped me out a lot.”
Q: What do you think makes you good at your sport?
A: “My competitiveness [because] I just feel like it plays a huge part in playing. If you’re not really competitive, then you’re not really going to try. So, I’ve always been competitive, and I didn’t really find any, like, passion for any other sport other than soccer. So, I think, you know, my competitiveness has really stood out there and not anywhere else.”
Q: How has soccer helped you?
A: “It’s a stress reliever for me. It helps me keep, like, calm and, like, [have] peace with myself.”
Q: How do you think your life would be different without soccer?
A: “I would have a lot more time to do other things. I’d be home most of the time. I think I would also be involved in, like, other stuff like clubs and other organizations, because soccer, you know, takes up most of my time. So, I think that would also change and just working, [too]. I don’t think I’ve really had a full-time job and, you know, [since] I started college, but because I don’t really have time.”
Q: Do you see yourself playing soccer in the long run?
A: “I have thought about it a lot and I am still unsure about that. I am still thinking about it because it’s tough. You know, there’s a lot of time and effort and commitment, you know, involved in being a professional soccer or semi-pro player. So, I’m still thinking about it.”
Q: What do you plan to do after graduation?
A: “Hopefully, get into the master’s program here [at] the university. I haven’t decided which master’s program I am going into yet but, hopefully, I do get into one. Then, once I’m done with that, I am going to try to become a licensed counselor.”
Q: What is your favorite movie and TV show?
A: “My favorite movie is ‘Coraline,’ the animated film. I love that movie. And, my favorite show is ‘Criminal Minds.’”
–Compiled by Karina Rodriguez
