With her cleats laced up and a soccer ball at her feet, midfielder Sophia Bastidos’ (11) determination fuels every stride as she races for her goals on the field. 

From early beginnings in recreational soccer, Bastidos, a leading goal scorer on the varsity girls soccer team (10-4), earned herself the title of January female Athlete of the Month, and feels that it is “a great feeling to be rewarded for hard work … [and] it’s helped [her] feel more of a part of the school culture.”

Similarly, her coach Martyn Hansford, the head coach of the varsity girls soccer team, shared that he is “very pleased she received the Athlete of the Month award and [is] sure it was much deserved.”

“I first got into soccer while playing rec when I was really young,” Bastidos said. “At the time I was just trying sports out for fun but I really fell in love with soccer. I didn’t start getting serious about it until I was around nine years old. My brother really inspired me to take the sport seriously. From a really young age he started training on his own and aspired to go pro and that’s when I realized I wanted to do that as well. I eventually started joining him when he went out to train. He is still my biggest role model and motivation.”

As her passion for soccer grew, so did her commitment to training. Outside of her long training hours with her school and club team, Bastidos dedicates additional time to extra strength and recovery sessions. 

“I usually get up and train before school and then attend club practices and training in the evenings,” Bastidos said. “Outside of those practices I have a schedule for plyometrics, weightlifting and recovery. Doing individual training and focusing on the areas that I personally lack in is key.”

Hansford also praised her diligence on the field and her love for the game. 

“Sophia has a fantastic work ethic,” Hansford said. “She loves the game immensely, which is why I would better describe her as someone that plays hard rather than works hard because playing the game gives her such joy. We have an immensely talented group all with strong attributes. Sophia does display fantastic confidence and courage on the ball, and she’s always willing to take the ball, even under high-pressure.”

Not only is Bastidos well-driven and hardworking, she also has great sportsmanship, which is an important part of being an athlete. 

“Since joining the program, Sophia has improved in every area of the game,” Hansford said. “Good people make good players, especially in a game that is so independent of the collective efforts and interaction of teammates. She plays the game with a smile on her face, and her enjoyment of the game is contagious.” 

With her busy practice and additional training schedules, it is difficult to balance both school and her athletics.

“I really try not to procrastinate which I don’t follow through with all the time,” Bastidos said. “I try to get my homework done before I rest at the end of the day and I typically get ahead during my free period, but my training schedule doesn’t really change.”

Evidently her hard work continues to pay off as Bastidos is verbally committed to play Division I soccer at Loyola Marymount University in the fall of 2026. 

“In my athletic career the biggest achievement I’ve accomplished is committing to play soccer at LMU,” Bastidos said. “I’ve always wanted to play in college and it’s a blessing that that dream is now a reality. After college I do have aspirations to play professionally. Both of those things have been big picture goals since I’ve started training outside of team practices with my brother.”

Looking back on her journey, Bastidos has also had major accomplishments outside of the school’s soccer team. 

“The most memorable thing about my sports career was my first game in the [Elite Clubs National League],” Bastidos said. “I had worked really hard for that moment and sacrificed a lot to play at the highest level. That game is really special to me and will forever be a landmark in my career and is arguably the turning point of my life.”

Despite her accomplishments, her drive does not just stop with awards. 

“What keeps me motivated is the thought that there is always more,” Bastidos said. “There is always more that can be accomplished which means there’s no excuse for less work. There’s times when celebrating accomplishments is really important but I feel like there’s more after that.”

With the level that Bastidos competes at, soccer can bring lots of stress. Bastidos shared her strategies for managing pre-game nerves.

“I think that not putting too much pressure on myself and settling into each game has really contributed to how I’ve performed,” Bastidos said. “I try to have fun during each game and find new challenges. I listen to music and write down my goals before the game. If I can, I like to watch films and visualize the things I’ve previously done well and do it again.”

Like all other athletes, Bastidos has her own challenges which she handles with her unwavering determination. 

“The biggest setback I’ve had recently is trying to gain muscle mass to get stronger and keep up with others at a higher level,” Bastidos said. “I want to be prepared going into college to make up for my shorter stature.”

Hansford also shared one of Bastido’s struggles this season. 

“Unfortunately Sophia missed much of last season due to a significant injury,” Hansford said. “Dealing with an injury and the recovery process can be one of the hardest things an athlete goes through. I talked to her about the need for patience and trying to see the bigger picture through a long-term perspective. It’s fantastic to see Sophia fully recovered and to continue development of progress as a player. I think in some ways, not being able to play the game has maybe helped her appreciate playing the game even more.”

From inspiring her to start aiming for a professional soccer career, Bastidos’ brother, Ben, has always supported her along the way, as well as her family and friends. 

“My support system is most important,” Bastidos said. “I wouldn’t be anywhere without the unfailing support of my parents to follow my dreams and the support of my brother to help me become the best version of myself. My friends have also been a huge help and have kept me sane when things get busy.”