Former B'Elite Player Development SC & US Youth Soccer National League Star Makes Headlines As One of Top Goal-Scoring Freshmen In Nation
Cecilia’s former coach, William Bustamante of B'Elite Player Development SC, has coached for over 25 years and completed coaching internships with clubs like Real Madrid and Boca Juniors, said on the recent news of being one of the leading goal-scorers in the nation, “She is going to thrive at the collegiate level, just because of the type of player she is and what they require. The work ethic, dedication. I just knew she would be successful, I just didn’t know how quickly it would come."
Cecilia stated, “I think over the summer being a freshman it was hard transitioning and getting on my feet and once the news came out, I was so shocked. Someone had to tell me I was player of the week and when you look back on what brought you there, to get to this point, you think, “Wow, I did that.” It's just nice feeling."
Playing since she 6, Cecilia found a love and connection with soccer that just wasn’t the same for the other sports she participated in. Neither of her parents played soccer, it was just one of the multiple sports she had a chance to try and was introduced to. She says, “I felt more connected and was just having more fun. I had friends playing soccer, it was just more of an outlet. I played basketball and ran track, but I just didn't feel as connected to or as committed to soccer as I am now."
Bustamante states as a player, “Cecilia is a very technical player and works extremely hard at her craft. She’s very coachable and demands a lot of herself, she always did even when she was younger. It’s something I always tell the younger players at my club to emulate, it makes it easy to showcase.”
Puentes, an education major at Pace University, works through a full time schedule from sunup to sundown, consisting of a, “6 or 7 AM practice in the morning, then I have class from 9 to 3 during the day and try to squeeze in eating during that time, plus mandatory study hall times. Then, we have an afternoon session and film, then towards the end of the night hanging out with my friends and studying.”
Even with such a hectic schedule, Cecilia is also focused on enjoying this important, once in a lifetime period of her life, “Currently in soccer, I’m a freshman so I hadn't had the time to think of what I want to do after college soccer. Right now, I’m having fun being part of the team and playing, it's great scoring goals and everyone cheering you. I’m just having fun and enjoying the experience. I’m trying to focus outside of soccer, on getting good grades and having fun outside of playing too.”