Aug. 5, 2010

With the 2010 season just around the corner, Soamy Bautista and his teammates are gearing up for another exciting campaign for Texas A&M International University's men's soccer program. TAMIU has adjusted quickly to the NCAA Division II level with two straight third place finishes in the Heartland Conference since becoming an active DII member in 2008.

A big factor in TAMIU's two straight upper-division finishes is a tough-minded defense that has finished in the top three in goals against in conference play both years. The Dustdevils have posted eight shutouts in Heartland Conference play that past two seasons with a total of 10 overall shutouts.

While a third place finish in an established conference is a positive sign for any young program Bautista, a senior to be and two-time All-Heartland Conference, said he believes he and his teammates can take it to the next level in 2010.

"There is no doubt in my mind that that we can accomplish a Heartland Conference championship even though many new players are coming into the picture," Bautista said.

"We have the core set up and as a leader I will make sure that the newcomers know what is expected from our team and will work together and hard to accomplish that goal from day one. With the veteran players we have and the new players, which I trust that coach Arias is bringing guys with the same mind set, we can go as far as we want and we want to go beyond a conference championship to compete for a national championship," he added.

It is not surprising that Bautista possesses a supreme confidence in his team and a vision for his life that extends beyond his playing days. The native Honduran has broken many barriers in his life to arrive at the brink of his senior season and a bachelor's degree in business administration.

When he was just nine years old, Bautista made a perilous 21-day journey from Honduras to Houston to join his mother, María M. Morán, whom he had not seen in three years. Although he describes the journey as a harrowing experience, Bautista says it was well worth it.

Calling his mother the biggest influence in his life, Bautista attributes her perseverance and hard work as the foundation on which he lives his own life.

As for five years in the future, Bautista foresees a life centered around what has made him successful thus far.

"After graduating from TAMIU I want to be running my own restaurant alongside with my mother and starting a family. I also want to encourage my younger siblings to do what I did after all the long years of hard work from both me and my mother letting them know that nothing is impossible and if you put your mind to it and never give up."

Luckily for TAMIU soccer fans, Bautista's plans for the immediate future are to lead the Dustdevils to new heights in his senior season. Considering his drive and passion for everything he does, no one will be surprised if he achieves that that lofty goal.