SEASIDE, CALIF. — When Faith Soriano first set foot on the Cal State Monterey Bay campus, she knew she'd found a place that felt like home. Drawn in by the coastal views and the tight-knit feel of campus, she saw the perfect environment to grow as both a student and an athlete.
"I fell in love with the area," she said. "The smaller campus size stood out to me because it felt more personal and easier to navigate."
Choosing CSUMB wasn't just about the scenery or the class sizes—it was about continuing the sport she loves. "Having the opportunity to continue playing at the college level was really important to me," Soriano said. "CSUMB gave me the chance to balance both academics and athletics."
Stepping away from softball for a year proved to be a turning point in Soriano's journey. The break gave her the space she needed to rediscover why she loved the game in the first place.
"Taking a year off completely changed my outlook," she said. "Being away made me realize how much I missed playing, competing, and especially being part of a team."
The time off helped her reset mentally and return with a renewed sense of purpose. "Now, I approach this season with a much more positive and intentional mindset," she said. "I'm more focused on enjoying the process rather than putting so much pressure on performance or outcomes."
For Soriano, the heart of her CSUMB experience has been the relationships she's built with her teammates. "I can honestly say I consider all of them my best friends," she said. "They've supported me not just on the field, but off the field as well."
Whether it's late-night study sessions or big moments on game day, she knows she has a group she can rely on. "We push each other to be better every day, but we also know how to have fun and enjoy the game together," she said.
With a new mindset and a strong support system, Soriano is focused on consistency and dependability. "I want to be a consistent player both defensively and offensively," she said. "Being someone my team can count on is really important to me."
She's also set a personal target for the season: "Another goal that I have for myself is to get 12 steals by the end of this season."
For the team, the mission is clear. "One of our goals is to return to the CCAA playoffs," she said. "The last time we made it was my freshman year, so being able to get back there would be really fulfilling."
As much as softball shapes her days now, Soriano has her sights set on helping others in the future. "After I graduate from CSUMB, one of my biggest goals is to attend graduate school for occupational therapy," she said. "I'm really interested in a career where I can help people improve their quality of life and regain independence in their daily activities."
No matter where the next steps lead, Soriano's time at CSUMB—and the people she's shared it with—will stay with her. "The relationships I've built with my teammates are something I'll carry with me long after softball is over," she said.
GO OTTERS!
