Young Soccer Players Set Sights on International Goals by Breeanna Jent - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ OCTOBER ►
S M T W T F S
27 28 29 30 01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
View Events
Submit Events

Young Soccer Players Set Sights on International Goals

By Breeanna Jent, Staff Writer
March 25, 2015 at 11:12am. Views: 126

Three young female soccer players are taking their dreams to an international level. Of 300 nationwide players who made their way to Cerritos to try out for a spot with the National U15 Mexican Soccer Team last month, three of those hopefuls represented what Inland Empire youth had to offer. Alena Mejia, Sky Hernandez and Elena Constante, collectively hailing from Colton and San Bernardino, put their skills to the test in hopes to play for the Mexican national team and, ultimately, the possibility to play in the U15 World Cup in the coming years. "For me, it's great. They're coming out of the Colton area and (soccer's) not one of the sports that's dominate," said Lio Mejia, who has coached the girls, all around the age of 14, since they were nine years old. "The fact that they at least got the chance to try out for the team, that's an accomplishment." Mejia coaches the girls in their Cal South Signature District 5 league, comprised of six soccer teams in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Of those six, three come from Colton - U14, U15 and U16 girls teams. The tryouts for the Mexican national team last month were the beginning of the national team's search for athletes they can draft to the national team for the World Cup games. Taking a tour around the United States, the Mexican national team is in search of Mexican American players who have made athletic accomplishments. "They do this by following up with the coaches every six months or so, and find out how the players are doing," said Mejia. Mejia's daughter Alena as well as her teammates Hernandez and Constante were all invited to Baja California for two weeks this summer and continue the tryouts for the Mexican national team, shared Mejia. On top of preparing to possibly take their game internationally, the girls and the rest of their U14 team with the Cal South Signature League are practicing for the league's State Cup games - breaking gender barriers while they do it. "In the national team, this is the first I know of that three girls are trying out," said Mejia. "And in the Cal South League, that's also the first time a whole girls team is playing in the state cup. They're accomplishing so much, and it will be good to have that experience while they prepare for this summer." Three weeks ago the girls competed in a Coca Cola Cup and is preparing to return to play another Coca Cola Cup game this August. Last weekend, the Cal South Signature U14 team competed against their own Colton U16 team at Bloomington High School. "They've been working for four years toward all this," Mejia said. "They haven't actually stopped, because they know how bad they want it."

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

September 29, 2026 at 10:13am. Views: 1219

The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra celebrates its founding in style with a Roaring Twenties-themed gala fundraiser on October 17 at 5p.m. The orchestra invites supporters to celebrate the community, music, and legacy it has built over nearly a century.

Photo Courtesy of: Colton Joint Unified School District

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 05:05pm. Views: 300

Music students at Colton High School will soon enjoy a larger space with more storage, practice rooms, better acoustics and better space for creating, learning and performing. Construction on the Buildings is Set to Start in 2027

Photo Courtesy of: San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools

By Justus Baker-Postell, Community Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:05am. Views: 845

State, Local Education Leaders Highlight Nearly $162 Million in CalKIDS Scholarships Available to San Bernardino County Students.

Photo Courtesy of: CIty News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 496

An October 2026 study from Loma Linda University suggests a simple dietary change may influence inflammation-related measures in older adults. A bowl of walnuts sits alongside a nutritious breakfast, illustrating the everyday dietary choice examined in Loma Linda University research.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:28pm. Views: 366

San Bernardino Drug Take Back Day 2026, prescription medication disposal, San Bernardino Police Department, October 24, medication safety, National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Community collection efforts offer families a convenient way to remove unwanted prescription drugs from their homes while promoting public safety and protecting the environment.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI-generated illustrations

By William Cortez, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:24pm. Views: 283

Long before modern freeways reshaped the Inland Empire, the railroad helped establish San Bernardino as a transportation center. Trains brought passengers, goods, workers and new business opportunities into the region, connecting a growing Southern California community with destinations across the country.

Photo Courtesy of: California Historical Society Collection, USC Libraries Special Collections.

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:22pm. Views: 351

As Redlands continues to grow, its surviving citrus groves offer a living connection to the industry that shaped the city's neighborhoods, economy and identity. Orange trees heavy with fruit line a grove in Redlands around 1900, with snow-covered Mount San Bernardino visible in the distance. The photograph documents the citrus industry that played a central role in the city's early development.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:19pm. Views: 391

The City of Redlands will host Plane-or-Treat at Redlands Municipal Airport on October 25, featuring trick-or-treating, entertainment and family activities. An AI-generated illustration

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 14, 2026 at 11:03am. Views: 652

Festive University of Redlands Homecoming celebration, with alumni, students, and families gathered on campus wearing maroon Bulldogs apparel. A bulldog mascot greets attendees while cheerleaders and a marching band perform near decorated tents and balloons, with university buildings and mountains in the background.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI-generated illustration

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 305

Moreno Valley is preparing to celebrate one of Mexico's most meaningful cultural traditions with an evening dedicated to remembrance, family and community.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI-generated illustration

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 294

Moreno Valley Unified School District is continuing its parent education efforts with an October workshop focused on social-emotional learning, positive behavior and bullying prevention.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI-generated illustrations

By William Cortez, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 363

A new chapter in Moreno Valley's cultural development is taking shape as the city introduces residents to its Museum & ArtSpace, a destination intended to bring visual art, creative experiences and community engagement into greater focus.

--> -->