Kofa High School girls soccer coach Santos Rangel Jr. has taken the idea of college preparedness for his student-athletes to another level.
In six years with the school, Rangel Jr., a former Kofa boys varsity soccer player, has seen 18 of his players move on to play in college.
“I want my players to have chances to grow and venture out,” said Rangel Jr., who returned to his alma mater in 2016-17. “Soccer is a way to motivate students and make sure they learn lessons to prepare them for life. I always tell my girls ‘I learned a lot with a ball at my feet’ and I want to pass that on to them like [longtime Kofa boys soccer coach Jamie] Nicewander did to me. Life isn’t easy and through soccer, with wins, losses, and adversity, they learn that. They learn that they have to fight and work hard for what they want.”
The most recent class, which graduates Friday, May 27, includes five players who signed letters of intent. It’s the most of any group from Kofa in Rangel Jr.’s tenure, and speaks to the consistency that he has maintained over the years.
The Lady Kings, whose 2022 season ended in the play-in round of the Arizona Interscholastic Association 6A Conference, have put together a winning record in 10 of the past 12 seasons, half of which have been overseen by Rangel Jr.
“Kofa soccer is special to me and to this community,” Rangel Jr. said. “You have to be around it to know. Even before me, many great players came through. I hope to be doing it justice. I want this program to be one that a player can come in and know that if they put in work, they can find success. When you see a Kofa player or alumni and know they are class and they can ball.”
Here is a complete list of all 18 Kofa girls soccer players who have signed to play in college since 2017:
Class of 2022
Tawny Felix, Gateway College
Dayana Gonzalez, Cochise College
Kimberly Peyro, University of Providence (Montana)
Cassandra Sandoval, Multnomah University
Viren Vega, Justice College
Class of 2021
Amanda Kochis, Bluefield College
Alondra Lares, Yavapai College
Hanna Urtado, Yavapai
Class of 2020
Kylii Skky Arellano, Park University (Transferred to Justice College)
Class of 2019
Airlin Charvarin, Arizona Western College
Karen Rivas, AWC
Belsy Trigueros, AWC
Class of 2018
Arleth Islas, AWC
Kelsy Ramirez, AWC
Maesy Ramirez, AWC
Isabel Reyes, AWC
Ashley Rosales, Phoenix College
Class of 2017
Makalyla Zendejas, AWC (Transferred to Oklahoma Wesleyan University)
