Playing hard for the fans, Kyla Cruz of Pueblo South likes to put on a show
Pueblo South’s Kyla Cruz has a mindset of always going out and giving it her all. Whether that be on the basketball court or the soccer field, Cruz is always ready to play.
“I try my best," she said, "and try to give the audience a good game.”
She enjoys playing both sports and says her love for soccer started young.
More: 'It's not just talent': Pueblo West's Jocelyn Thompson talks hard work, leading her team
“I first played it with my neighbor and then I kind of just stuck with it and then my brother started playing which made me want to play more,” Cruz said. “My brother, we're so competitive with each other.”
This competitiveness not only drove her to want to play the sport but also pushed her to get better at it. She attributed her success and growth to the many days she was playing against her younger brother.
“When we play outside, he kicks the ball a lot harder than he should,” Cruz says. “It hurts when it makes contact, but it's fun. I think it makes me tougher ... he's usually stronger than the other girls, so that makes me stronger.”
Cruz is a defender for the South Colts but has said she is available to play just about anywhere on the field that her coach sees fit. But she really enjoys playing midfield, as that's where all the action is.
“I like midfield because I can be everywhere,” Cruz said. “I don't have to stay back, or I don't have to stay up front. I could be around the ball.”
Being around the ball is fun for her, just like being on this team has been a fun experience as well.
Despite not winning as much as they would like, the Colts program has been building up their younger players to succeed in the future, something Cruz says has been a big improvement on the team.
“I really like this team,” Cruz said. “All the girls are really nice, and we respect each other as a team and it's just really fun. There's no drama or anything. I hope we can just continue to improve and come closer to as teammates, and hopefully next year we can do better.”
From playing with friends to scoring her first goal, the memories that Cruz has made with her friends on the team are something she will cherish forever. But for now, she hopes to continue to make more memories with her teammates as she finishes her junior year.
More: Pueblo East's Eliza Pedro got a taste of winning. Now, the soccer program wants more
She does have plans to go on to college after high school, however, she has not decided on what she wants to pursue. If given the opportunity, she would like to continue her sporting career after high school, but for now, she will enjoy the time she has playing a sport that she loves.
Outside of soccer, Cruz also enjoys music and arts and says that drawing for her is a way to relax and refocus on her life.
The Colts are currently 3-4-1 on the season with a 1-3 record in the South-Central League. Cruz has one goal and one assist to her name so far.
Christopher Abdelmalek is a sports reporter for the Pueblo Chieftain and can be reached at cabdelmalek@gannett.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @chowebacca. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo South's Kyla Cruz plays hard for the fans
