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University of Houston Athletics
Soccer Adds Transfer Christine Nieva To Squad
3/7/2007 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
March 7, 2007
HOUSTON - The University of Houston soccer team has added sophomore transfer Christine Nieva (Mesquite, Texas/North Mesquite HS/Arizona State) to the squad, head coach Bill Solberg announced Wednesday.
Nieva, a Dallas, Texas native, enrolled in UH at the begining of the semester and has participated in spring drills with the Cougars. She will be a junior this fall with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
She holds dual citizenship with Mexico and the United States, coming to UH after two years at Arizona State. She brings extensive experience with the Mexican National Team. She played in 20 total matches with the Sun Devils, tallying one assist on six shots. She was limited to seven matches during her freshman season due to injury.
Nieva was a member of the Mexican U-20 team that traveled to Moscow, Russia, to take part in the 2006 FIFA Women's U-20 World Championship from Aug. 18-24, 2006. She started all three matches at the championship, including Mexico's 4-2 defeat of Switzerland. Her squad later dropped a match to defending champion Germany before being knocked off by eventual champion Korea, preventing the Mexicans from advancing to the knockout round.
Nieva recently took time out of her schedule to take part in a Q&A with UHCougars.com:
What age did you start playing with the Mexican National Team?
I started playing with the Mexican National Team when I was 16.
What was your first major event?
My first major event was the U-18 CONCACAF Tournament in Canada and placed 3rd.
Are both your parents of Mexican heritage?
Yes both my parents are of Mexican Heritage.
How were you discovered to play with the team? Did the coach contact you?
A scout from the Mexican National Team saw me play at one of my club soccer games. He approached my parents and I after the game and mentioned that Leonardo Cuellar (Mexican National Team coach) was flying in that weekend to have try outs for an Under 18 team he was trying to put together. So I decided to give it a try and after he saw me play he asked me to fly down to Mexico and train.
What are the fans like in Mexico?
The fans in Mexico are incredible!!! They have such a huge passion for soccer in Mexico, and it's such an amazing feeling whenever we are playing at home and watching our fans go crazy.
Where have you traveled with the team?
I've traveled to Canada, Portugal, Paris, and Russia with the National Team.
What are your National Team aspirations?
My aspiration with the National Team is to one day play in the Olympics.
What is the next event you are training for?
Our next event coming up is in Japan to qualify for the 2007 World Cup in China. We will be playing Japan in Japan then back home in Mexico.
What have you learned while representing Mexico?
Of how incredible is it representing my family's country and making my family very proud.
Do you ever get tired of playing?
I do get tired, but I never get tired of playing soccer.
How can your international experience help the UH team?
I feel that the level of soccer I have played in is something I can bring to the team here.
What are you looking forward to accomplishing at UH?
Graduating with a high GPA is something I want to accomplish at UH. I would also like to help the team by improving our record and going far in the NCAA tournament.
What is your favorite position and why?
My favorite position is center mid because I like to assist and score goals and I think playing there I can do both. I also just enjoy playing there the most.
Does your family travel with you to National team events?
My parents have traveled a few times to watch us play. Like Canada, and different parts of the states.
Are there any national team traditions that you would like to bring to UH? Any pre-game traditions?
We don't really have any pre-game traditions with the National Team. We normally play music really loud and dance sometimes to pump us up before our games.
What kind of leader are you on the field?
I work as hard as I can during practice and games to get better and help the team get better.
What is your best soccer characteristic?
One of my best soccer characteristics is that I can adjust to any style of play and position. And I think I'm good at reading the game.
Why UH?
I feel that UH has a good soccer and academic program for me to succeed in.
