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In a remarkable achievement for the women’s soccer program at Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) Yury Santaclara has become the first player in the program’s brief history to sign with a four-year university. The milestone comes just two years after SUSCC debuted its soccer program.

Santaclara, who hails from Foley, Alabama, has always had a passion for the game. She started playing soccer at the age of four, and her journey through the sport has been marked by dedication and hard work. Throughout her high school years, Santaclara played for Foley High School and also honed her skills with the Perdido Rush club soccer team in Pensacola, Florida. It was through her connection with the Rush that Santaclara’s path to higher-level soccer began to take shape.

“I was fortunate enough to have a coach from Perdido Rush who really helped me get in touch with Coach Mac [at SUSCC],” Santaclara recalls. “He offered me a scholarship the day he came to scout me.”

SU Women’s Soccer Coach Mac Matthews said that Santaclara was the very first player that was recruited in the first signing class. “We were relentless in pursuing her because it was clear that she was a special person, one upon which we could depend to launch the women’s soccer program at Southern Union. Having the talent, character, and the work ethic to continue developing is a rare combination, one which Yury exemplifies. Consequently, it surprises no one that Yury is now the first player in program history to sign with a four-year program. She is paving the way for many to follow as we achieve one of our primary goals of developing players for the next level and will represent Southern Union wonderfully. We couldn’t be prouder!” commented Matthews.

For Santaclara, making history as the first player to sign with a four-year university is a humbling experience. “I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity,” she said. “I hope this opens doors for my teammates to pursue both their education and soccer careers in the future.”

The motivation driving Santaclara on the field is her competitive spirit and desire to always be the best. “I’ve always been a competitive person. I expect the best out of myself, and I know that if I push myself hard enough, I can achieve my goals,” she explained.

While Santaclara had not considered the possibility of continuing her soccer career at the next level, it was an encounter with Faulkner University that ultimately sparked her decision. “I wasn’t initially sure if I wanted to pursue soccer at a four-year university, but once we played against Faulkner, I was captivated by the energy there,” she said. “It felt like a real community, and that really stood out to me.”

Behind every milestone, there’s hard work and sacrifice—and Santaclara’s achievement is no different. “People don’t always see the consistent work that goes on behind the scenes,” she said. “It’s not just about being physically prepared but mentally prepared as well. You have to be disciplined, and that means balancing schoolwork, the expectations from others, and committing yourself to your training. Injuries are also part of the process, and they test your mental strength. It’s about constantly pushing yourself to get better.”

Through all the challenges, Santaclara remains thankful for the people who have supported her along the way. “I’m so grateful for the support of my parents. They’ve always been there for me, and their encouragement means the world to me,” she said. “And I can’t thank my coaches enough. They’ve played a huge role in my development, both on and off the field.”

For more information on the women’s soccer program at Southern Union contact Matthews at mmatthews@suscc.edu.

With campuses in Wadley, Opelika, and Valley, Southern Union State Community College was founded in 1922 and is the second-oldest two-year college in Alabama. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate degrees. SUSCC is a member of the Alabama Community College System.  For more information about Southern Union State Community College, visit www.suscc.edu.