BROWNSVILLE — Brownsville Hanna soccer players Christopher Escalante and Abel Lopez will continue playing the game they love after signing with Wiley College on Friday.
Escalante and Lopez were part of the Golden Eagles’ side that captured the District 32-6A championship this season. The left-footed Lopez played in the defense, and Escalante played as a forward.
Hanna coach Reyes Prado said Escalante and Lopez, like the rest of his players, were very important in their district title-winning season.
“They contribute a lot on and off the field,” Prado said. “They are very coachable. I am grateful they have a chance to continue their education and continue their dream of playing soccer at the next level. Both work extremely hard day in and day out, even in the offseason. That is why I am proud of them.”
At Wiley, Lopez said he could be deployed anywhere on the left flank, but will likely continue playing left back. Lopez plans on studying software engineering on campus.
“It is really awesome,” he said. “I have been working really hard to get this. I am really happy that I get to continue playing the sport I love at a higher level. I have been playing since I was little. This is a great opportunity for me, and I am going to do everything I can to make it worth it.”
Escalante could feature anywhere on the field, from sweeper to striker. He just wants to be on the pitch. The Hanna forward plans on studying criminal justice at Wiley and coming back to the area to be a Border Patrol agent. It runs in the family he said.
“I feel really happy that I get to play at the next level,” he said. “It is hard. We are going to be playing really competitive players, and I want to play as much as I can, wherever they need me. I work hard, extra hours after practice, just to get better, I never stop grinding.”
The pair will be competing in the Red River Conference of the NAIA. Wiley College is located in Marshall.
