Christina Romero attends Rio Rico High School and is a member of the AIA's Student SID Program. 

As Rio Rico's boys soccer team prepares for their next regular season tournament, the players look to utilize a winning mentality to generate some positive momentum. The Hawks currently stand at 4-3 overall, with their most recent loss against their non-conference rivals, Nogales High School. However, Coach Kristian Rivas, along with the two team captains, are confident in their team's abilities to overcome any challenges they may face on the road to a potential playoff berth. 

Nevertheless, the team will first focus on the upcoming TUSD Ismael Arce Memorial Cup Tournament, where they will face off against some of the best teams in the area. The Hawks will first go against the Palo Verde, followed by matches against Salpointe Catholic and Cienega; two games that will test Rio Rico's game-winning abilities in addition to their mindset and determination. Despite the somewhat intimidating schedule, the team knows that they have what it takes to pull out a win. 

"One of our biggest goals is to win region. Last year, we had chances that we did not take full advantage of," says Santiago Renteria, one of the team captains, "We just have to be there and show up for the team, because we know we have a lot of great chemistry and we're ready to keep building on that." 

When it comes to team chemistry, many of the players are part of a local soccer club outside of school, where rivals from Rio Rico and Nogales High School become teammates as they develop their skills and strengthen their bonds. These relationships off the field made for an interesting matchup last week, as the heated non-conference rivalry between the Hawks and Apaches fuels the teams' will-power to give it their all. 

"Half the Nogales team is part of my soccer club, so I think the players may have been a little intimidated, but we always remind them that they have played some really good teams, and even their losses were some really good games," says Coach Rivas, emphasizing the Hawk's refusal to back down from a challenge, "I tell them 'You guys can do this, you just gotta believe in yourselves.'" 

The team leaders all know that their mentality will be a big gamechanger for the tournament. To bring their unwavering mindset to the field, the team captains always strive to rally up the players. 

"Our plan is to always make sure everyone is in the right headspace," says Hunter Thompson, a junior team captain, "Even though it's a young team and playing varsity is new for some of them, we can learn from the experience of the upperclassmen and trust that we always have a chance to win."

"Obviously, it's a lot of mental work and practice, but one of the biggest things that we always incorporate ahead of a game is the talks beforehand, and especially when we pray beforehand," says Santiago Renteria, "It's one of the biggest things we really believe in, because it gives us faith in each other, faith that we have each others' backs."

Of course, there may definitely be several challenges along the way, whether they're from the schedule, injuries, and even within the team itself. However, where others see obstacles, the team leaders see opportunities for growth to be the best they can be. 

"We have a very young team, and our seniors are the best they can be, but these younger players have been so responsive and have been making great progress," says Coach Rivas, "They just need to believe in themselves, but on the same token, these boys are playing their hearts out, and that's a huge advantage for us because they're just going to keep building up their confidence as the season goes on." 

"In all honesty, our losses came down to mentality, but the team is starting to become more hungry for a win at the end of the day," says Santiago Renteria, "We can't just expect a win. We expect to go out and play our best, and that's what we're going to do for this tournament."

Emerging victorious from the upcoming tournament would mean more than just a win. It would cement Rio Rico's determined and talented group of players as a team to watch out for throughout the rest of the season. The only question that remains is, can the Hawks harness their confidence and determination to conquer the challenge?

Coach Rivas knows they can. 

"They've got the hunger. They want it, and I believe they'll get it. If we really want to be the best, we have to play the best."