WHY IS CHELSEA MENTADO-PEREZ SO GOOD AT SOCCER?
Well, she has a theory.
The junior mid-fielder is the only girl in a family of four siblings, who all played soccer.
“Growing up with three brothers can be frustrating, but makes you tough,” she laughed. “They are always messing with me, but they have made me a better soccer player. I never wanted to sit and watch them play as their sister, so I grew up playing soccer on boys teams. I’ve been like that since I was little. I always wanted to play.”
She, like her older brothers, have played varsity since her freshman year. Her little brother is a freshman and also plays varsity soccer.
With a high soccer IQ, it’s no surprise that she is the quarterback on the field.
“I love to move the ball around the field and get my teammates involved as a mid- fielder,” she said. “I just see the field really well and love to attack the defense by setting my attackers up for success.”
Her play as a sophomore was paramount in the team’s success as they made the postseason for the first time since moving up to the Class 6A classification. The ‘Kats won a playoff game against Aldine to advance to the Area Round.
This season, Mentado-Perez is the team’s leading scorer as they chase a playoff spot.
“I love this team and playing with all my friends,” she said. “Our chemistry is so good, and we just treat each other with respect. Everyone says it, but we are really a family.”
Off the pitch, she loves to go on walks with her animals, watching car movies and listening to anything that “relaxes” her.
“I’m a very hyper, outdoorsy person,” she laughed. “I love to listen to chill music to call me down sometimes.”
Again, she’s just one of the boys.