Alondra Higareda’s earliest memories of soccer trace back to age 5, when she was just a small girl with big dreams, tumbling across the fields of her local city league in Merced.
“I remember falling a lot,” she said, laughing. “I tried other sports — softball, track, volleyball — but nothing held my attention like soccer did.”
Despite the tumbles, the game’s fast pace and the discipline it demanded pulled her in, and soccer quickly took root as her passion.
Born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley, Higadera’s life has unfolded across Merced’s schools, from Farmdale Elementary to Weaver Middle School and later El Capitan High School.
The soccer journey of the 21-year-old athlete continued through two years at Delta College in Stockton before bringing her back home, where she now plays for UC Merced.
But Higareda’s connection to soccer goes beyond sport; it’s deeply tied to her roots and family’s story.
As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, Higareda draws strength from her father’s journey — a tale of hard-won progress.
“My dad is an immigrant from Mexico,” she said. “He started working in the fields at 15, and now he has his own carnicería (butcher shop).”
His determination and grit echo in her approach to the game.
While soccer has always been a part of her life, Higareda’s path turned sharply competitive at age 13.
After leaving her local team, Merced United, she joined a more intense club in Tracy — a move that marked the beginning of her ascent in the sport.
“I’ve been playing in the Valley since I was 5,” she reflected. “But leaving at 13 to play in Tracy really pushed me to the next level.”
Inspiration and dedication: Higareda’s soccer journey
Higareda’s love for soccer was born from family traditions, rooted in her father’s deep passion and the early memories of him cheering for his favorite team.
“He would have the TV on all the time watching La Liga,” she said referring to the Mexican Professional Soccer League. “We’re big Chivas fans. Very big Chivas fans.”
Her father wasn’t just a spectator — he played, too, often bringing her along to games. In those moments, young Higareda saw a path that could be her own, a spark that if the men could do it, so could she.
Now a senior at UC Merced, soccer remains more than just a sport for Higareda; it’s the heartbeat that propels her forward, intertwined with the rigor of school—a balancing act she masters with determination and sharp time management.
“Obviously, everybody says student before athlete, which I 100% agree with,” she said. “It was a lot of communicating with my professors and reminding my parents and coaches that I’m still in school.”
Her schedule is unyielding. Team practices alone demand over 10 hours weekly, with games often dominating her weekends.
“We practice every day from 4 to 6, and on Wednesdays from 7 to 9,” she said.
But Higareda’s dedication doesn’t stop when practice ends. She’s often the first to arrive, spending an extra hour before practice perfecting her technique and maintaining her fitness.
“I do a little bit of technical work — just getting on the ball, getting as many touches as I can, shooting because I’m an attacking player,” she said.
Beyond the physical, Higareda knows her position as a midfielder calls for mental endurance.
“When I’m tired physically, mentally, I hold it together, understanding that I can still do this,” she said.
Guiding by example: A coach’s perspective
For Roman DuChateau, UC Merced’s head women’s soccer coach, Higareda is more than an exceptional athlete — she’s the team’s heartbeat.
Described as vocal and action-oriented, Higareda’s approach to leadership on the field has left a lasting impact on her teammates.
“When she talks, her teammates listen,” DuChateau said. “But she also leads by example, through her training habits, how she takes care of her body, and the way she communicates. She’s always working hard.”
Higareda’s influence doesn’t end at the field’s edge. As one of the team’s senior players, she has embraced a nurturing, almost ‘motherly’ role, becoming a trusted point of guidance for her teammates in all aspects of life.
“Her teammates know they can go to her, whether it’s about something on the field or off it,” DuChateau said. “She’s taken on that role naturally, always present and always there to help out.”
DuChateau recalled how he initially sought recommendations from respected coaches when taking his position at UC Merced. Higareda’s name came up immediately.
“They didn’t hesitate. Her reputation preceded her,” he said, recounting how other coaches praised her leadership and dedication.
Over time, DuChateau witnessed her evolution as a leader and a player firsthand.
“When she first joined, we were missing some big personalities and strong leadership,” he said. “She has that drive to win, and over the past year and a half, I’ve seen her grow, especially in how she communicates. She’s learned to channel that drive in a way that motivates her teammates.”
Academic journey and future goals
Off the soccer field, Higareda is every bit as driven in her studies. As she pursues a degree in public health at UC Merced, she has her sights set on becoming a surgeon — a path she feels deeply connected to.
“I’ve always been really big into helping others,” Higareda said. “When I heard ‘surgeon,’ I knew that I was going to be saving lives.”
For her, it’s about stepping into a role where she can make a real, lasting impact on people’s health and well-being, fueled by the vision of what her work could mean for others.
“I just want to be that difference,” she added with a look of pride on her face.
DuChateau believes in her potential wholeheartedly.
“Whatever Alondra does in life, she’s gonna be great,” he said. “If she goes into medicine, she’s gonna be one of the finest surgeons ever. She’s one of those kids. She’s gonna be great at whatever she puts her mind to.”
While set to graduate in the spring, Higareda’s journey toward medical school is just beginning. She plans to take a gap year to focus on the MCAT, aiming to eventually attend the new medical school slated to open at UC Merced. DuChateau acknowledges the crossroads she faces.
“If she chooses to continue playing soccer and exploring a professional career, she’ll be great there too,” he said. “I think it’s that crossroad all athletes go through at some point.”
Whether it’s medicine or soccer, DuChateau’s faith in Higareda’s determination is unwavering.
“She could do both,” he said. “Whatever that kid puts her mind to, she’ll be great. I have two young daughters and a son. If my kids turn out to be like Alondra, I’ll be the proudest dad on the planet.”
UC Merced’s move to NCAA and Higareda’s final season
UC Merced recently marked a significant milestone, as its athletic programs earned acceptance into NCAA Division II — a leap forward that has energized students and athletes across campus.
For the university’s soccer program, the move signals an exciting new era, however for Higareda, the timing is bittersweet.
This pivotal transition comes just as her final season wraps up, meaning she won’t have the opportunity to compete under the NCAA banner herself.
Despite missing the cutoff, Higareda is determined to make her last season in the California Pacific Conference (CALPAC) unforgettable.
“We can still compete for a CAL PAC championship this year,” she said.
Finding strength to overcome challenges
As a female athlete, Higareda has navigated her share of challenges on and off the field.
“I would say the biggest challenge is possibly the respect,” Higareda said. “People tend to think of men when they think of soccer — they think of Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar — but when I think of soccer, I think of Alex Morgan, Julie Ertz, Megan Rapinoe.”
Breaking through the perception that women’s soccer is somehow lesser than men’s has been a powerful motivator.
“The adversity of being on the same level, of being acknowledged, has been a challenge for me,” said Higareda.
Throughout these struggles, her support system has remained steadfast, especially her mother.
“My mom has been at every game, every tournament, driving me everywhere,” Higareda said. “My dad is the backbone of our family in every sense — financially, emotionally, everything — but my mom is my biggest supporter.”
In addition, her extended family, with its many members, rallies behind her, cheering her on from the sidelines or from afar.
“My dad is one of 13 and my mom is one of six,” she said. “I have cousins, aunts, and uncles who always ask for my schedule. It really takes a village, and they’ve seen me grow up through the sport.”
The COVID-19 pandemic was another obstacle in her journey. “COVID was a really tough year for me,” she said.
For a junior in high school — a crucial year for college recruitment — the pandemic shut doors on opportunities.
“Everyone was focusing on seniors, which left us on the back burner,” said Higareda, acknowledging the moments when she doubted she’d ever make it to college soccer.
Yet, she persevered. Starting at Delta College and eventually transferring to UC Merced, Higareda embraced the challenge of each new environment.
“Going from Delta to Merced was a really big jump — a completely different division, the level of competitiveness, the environment, and the culture were all really different,” she said.
Returning home to Merced and playing for UC Merced was more than a career move — it was a homecoming, a chance to play for her community and her family.
“UC Merced definitely sealed the deal with being able to come back and play for my community, my support system, my family, and just honestly give back,” she said. “This is where I grew up, and it would be a great way to end it here.”
Her efforts culminated in a defining achievement: scoring the game-winning goal for the CAL PAC championship and earning UC Merced its first championship ring during her first season back at home.
“That’s my proudest moment,” she said.
An inspiration to others
More than a sport, soccer is a platform for Higareda to inspire others who see their own journeys reflected in hers.
In a sport that is often male-dominated and lacks diversity, she has faced challenges unique to her experience.
“Being a woman of color, I’ve always looked different from most role models in the sport,” she said. “You see blonde hair and blue eyes, but growing up, I didn’t see girls who looked like me.”
That realization became a powerful motivator.
“I want to be that person for little girls who look like me,” she added. “If they see me, they can think, ‘If I can see her, I can be her.’”
Higareda’s dedication to giving back to her community has been evident in her involvement with local outreach efforts.
DuChateau highlighted Higareda’s dedication to community outreach, from reading to children at local schools and mentoring the Albion Youth Club during games to supporting the SAC-led Humanity Project for the homeless
“She loves this place,” he said. “She loves this city, and she’s always willing to give back. She’s a Mercedian.”
These community connections remind Higareda of her own days at UC Merced’s youth camps, where she learned from college athletes and found inspiration.
“I used to be one of those kids at the camp,” she said. “Being able to return now and give back as a player at UC Merced is really special.”
Higareda’s journey has also brought her full circle, playing on the very fields where she once watched and aspired to compete.
“I remember watching this one girl of color who did an amazing move and scored a goal, and I thought, ‘I could do that,’” Higareda said. “It was a moment that really inspired me.”
Today, the UC Merced soccer team embodies the diversity she longed for as a young player.
“We’re a really diverse group,” she said. “Most of us are from the Valley, and even though we played at different clubs, we all know each other from different games or tournaments. Soccer has really brought us together.”
This sense of camaraderie and diversity has shaped Higareda’s growth both on and off the field.
“It taught me a lot about hard work, dedication, and pushing myself to improve,” she reflected. “If a team beats us, I know we can go back, work harder, and get better together.”
DuChateau emphasized the importance of keeping local talent in Merced, noting how players like Higareda serve as beacons of inspiration for the community.
“We have to keep our homegrown talent right here at home,” he said. “It’s good for the university, the player, and the community. These little girls look up to them as role models. Alo is one of the best role models we have for these young players.
Pushing through pain and injuries
Sept. 19 started like any other game day for Higareda and her team as they faced East Bay in Hayward.
The game was intense, and the team had already scored their first goal when an unexpected moment changed everything.
“It was just a bad tackle from the back, and I landed wrong,” Higareda said. “I heard a pop and immediate pain. Went down to the ground, and I came off.”
Fueled by sheer determination and passion, Higareda pushed herself to return to the field, fighting through the initial shock of pain.
“I think the adrenaline was pumping really hard,” she said. “I was like, ‘No, I’m good. I’m good to go back in.’ But deep down, I just knew … it was something more.”
DuChateau initially watched the scene unfold from the sidelines, knowing Higareda’s grit and resilience.
When she tried to warm up for the second half, determined to push through the discomfort, he continued observing, ready to step in if needed.
“She’s tough; she’ll play through anything,” he said.
Higareda felt the pain intensify as she prepared to return to the field.
“I just knew that something was wrong with my knee,” she said, recounting the moment pain resurfaced and playing was no longer an option.
At halftime, DuChateau approached her, sensing the seriousness.
“I look over, and she’s in tears,” he said. “I had to go up to her and say, “Alo, what’s up?” And she said, “I can’t play.’”
The injury cast a shadow over what was supposed to be her senior season.
“I was just hoping it wasn’t anything super serious,” Higareda said. “It was a moment of pain, and I thought I could just walk it off. I tried to stay positive and work through it.”
The MRI that followed revealed fluid buildup so severe that it obscured any clear answers about potential ligament damage.
“At one point, we thought her college career might be over,” DuChateau said. “She had her knee drained, and she busted her butt in PT and rehab.”
Despite the uncertainty and grueling therapy sessions, Higareda’s focus never wavered.
“My ultimate goal was coming back and being able to play my senior season,” she said. “I didn’t want to miss it, especially with this group of girls.”
Her dedication paid off as she made it back for the final three games of the season, at a time when the team needed her most.
The UC Merced women’s soccer team secured a share of the California Pacific Conference regular season championship — their first since 2016 — with an undefeated 6-0-1 record.
They finished the season with an overall record of 9-2-2, outscoring conference opponents 31-0 and achieving the rare feat of not conceding a single goal in Cal Pac play.
“It’s been hard for her to be out,” DuChateau admitted. “But she’s been there every step, staying connected and present. She’s a true footballer — a player who just wants to play and compete, focused on what matters.”
Balancing academics and soccer
Though Higareda is deeply committed to her pursuit of medicine, the call of soccer remains ever-present.
Given the chance, she wouldn’t hesitate to follow her dream of playing professionally.
“Honestly, if all the cards fall into place, I would 100% play soccer professionally,” she said.
Whether in the U.S., Europe, or Mexico, the possibility of continuing her soccer journey fills her with excitement.
“If I can go overseas, I definitely will,” she shared, adding that playing professionally in Mexico is “100% up in the air,” but an opportunity she’d jump at in a heartbeat.
Higareda has already begun taking steps toward that dream. This past summer, she trained with Stockton Cargo, a semi-pro team, connecting with other talented players on the same path.
“The steps would be playing with a semi-pro team, getting scouted by an agent, and hopefully getting signed to a professional team,” she explained.
And if the day came when she could represent a country on the international stage, she knows where her loyalty lies.
“I would wear green,” she said, referencing Mexico’s national team with a determined smile. “It’s a big ‘remember where you came from’ thing for me — my roots, my connection with my dad.”
For Higareda, donning the green jersey with the crest of an eagle on her chest would honor the sacrifices her father made and the love of the sport he passed down to her.
Reflecting on how her father might react to seeing her in Mexico’s colors, her voice softened with emotion.
“Oh, he would lose his mind,” she said, her smile lighting up. “He would cry. He’d be so happy.”