The Surge

Working towards her goal of playing for a professional women’s soccer team, junior goalkeeper Alejandra Duran currently plays for the Bay as well as the local soccer club, Weston Select. With Duran marked as one of the team’s top performers, the Bay is ranked 18th nationally. In a midseason game against St. Thomas Aquinas, she recorded a total of 15 saves. Duran said that since she was five years old, she has had a love for soccer and is now planning where she wants to play in the future.

“My ultimate goal is to try to play for a professional team that is either in the United States or in Europe. However, I first have to play in college so I can get noticed by professional scouts,” Duran said. “I would most likely love to play at Duke, since they have a great soccer program or play at Atlético de Madrid in Spain.”

While simultaneously playing for two teams, Duran has a busy schedule. She said that learning time management has been a big help in balancing her training with her school work. Although this is difficult at times, Duran said that soccer has been very rewarding.

“From playing soccer, I have been able to gain close friends and a strong bond between everyone,” Duran said. “Also, winning major tournaments gives me a satisfying feeling.”

Duran said that compared to her coaches at Weston Select, the Bay’s coach, Kate Dwyer, is much stricter. This coaching style has paid off as the team has lost only one of their 14 games so far this season and are on track to qualify for states again.