By Taylor Long

Reporter  

  Junior center midfielder Sabrina Delgado is more than just a student athlete. She excels both athletically and academically. 

  Not only was Delgado named the Western Athletic Conference preseason offensive player of the year, but she was also one of the 82 athletes in women’s soccer to be named a 2016 Academic All-WAC Honoree.  

  With immense focus and hard work, Delgado manages to balance being a student and a Division I athlete. 

  Delgado got her start playing soccer at just four years old when her mom signed her up and has loved it ever since.

  From recreational teams to club, she achieved her greatest accomplishment of playing collegiate soccer at a Division I level. 

  One of Delgado’s biggest inspirations on the field is a forward from the Women’s Brazilian National Team, Marta Vieira Da Silva.

  Though given numerous offers, Delgado wanted to “be a part of a program that was up and coming,” which ultimately led to her decision to sign with CSU Bakersfield.  She has managed to establish herself as one of the most valuable players on the team. 

  “She can dictate a game, she’s an intelligent player and is able to read what the other team is going to give her and she excels no matter what,” said CSUB Head Coach Gary Curneen.

  Delgado’s commitment to her studies and her team is shown by her accomplishments. Delgado is a well-rounded student athlete. 

  Redshirt-junior forward Aminah Settles described Delgado as being “very self-motivated and hard-working, she does the work on and off the field, and has the ability to inspire other teammates with the energy she brings.”

  Delgado has been on the team since the change of the program, and Curneen said she is “a catalyst of that change, she has enabled us as a program to accelerate the change in culture because she has driven it so aggressively as a collegiate athlete and a student.” 

  Delgado has already exceeded expectations at the start of this season. In just the beginning of the second and final overtime, Delgado was able to make the assist for the game-winning goal against UTEP. 

  “Her performance was on another level, even by her standards,” said Curneen.

  Delgado said her key to success in her studies and athletic career is due to her “dedication and focus,” she said she always gives 100 percent.

  Delgado said her biggest challenge has been “only being identified as a student athlete and not being recognized as an individual who has other goals and ambitions.” 

  Delgado aspires to pursue a career in Environmental Resource Management.

  Her character and drive has positively impacted her team and those around her. 

  Settles said she “admires her work-ethic and her ability to always go above and beyond no matter what the circumstances.”  

  Delgado has managed to earn herself a leadership role on her team. 

  “A leader is someone who can personally manage themselves while influencing those around them, it’s a big task but Delgado has a done a great job fulfilling it,” said Associate Head Coach Clifton Bush. 

  During the recruiting process, Clifton said, “We look for players who are honest, committed and are able to let their talent grow into something that is productive for the team.” Delgado is someone who possesses every one of those qualities. “She’s our leader, driving force, and our playmaker,” said Curneen.

  Delgado finished the 2016 season ranked second in the WAC in goals scored. Her eight goals on the season paced the Roadrunners and was the third-most in CSUB single-season history.

  Delgado was also named WAC Offensive Player of the Week twice last season.

  Delgado has set the bar high for an ideal student athlete with her academic and athletic achievements. Her admirable character and drive has been very influential to her team.

  “Delgado is the heart and soul of our team, she epitomizes the spirit of this program,” said Curneen.