Newark Athlete Continues Success in Soccer

As a child, making a goal meant making money for Alfredo Navarro.

For each goal he made, his family would fork over up to $20 as a way to reward him for his success.

Now at the age of 19, making a goal means one step toward his ultimate goal: Making it to the pros.

“I have a dream to become a professional soccer player and put my name out there,” Navarro said.

The former student has already made a name for himself at Chabot Community College in Hayward where he has been studying since the fall.

During the Chabot College Head Men’s Soccer’s 2011 season, Navarro became the team’s highest goal scorer and was an All American nominee at the California Community College Athletic Association Coast Conference.

This season, Navarro, who plays middle and sometimes forward on the soccer field, scored 10 goals and completed seven assists in about 20 games, he said.

And his accomplishments are ones that he said made him feel reassurance about his skill level.

“It meant a lot to me because in practice I always tried my hardest,” Navarro said. “And it paid off.”

There’s no secret to making goals, he said.

“Everything I do in practice, I do it in the game,” Navarro said. “It’s not really easy, and it depends on your team as well. … Communication is important.”

His most memorable goal is one he made during his sophomore year at Newark Memorial in which he scored two goals to help Newark Memorial win the state cup.

But what making goals really comes down to is teamwork and practicing – and practicing a lot.

Outside of practicing with the team at Chabot college, Navarro said he joins club teams, enhances his speed by running at Newark Lake regularly and practices with his dad at local parks whenever they have a chance to.

He credits his family’s support and guidance for his success in soccer.

Navarro was one of seven student athletes at Chabot who were recognized for their accomplishments during the Chabot College Head Men’s Soccer’s 2011 season.

Here’s who else was honored as provided by Chabot Community College:

First Team All Coast Conference:

• Salvador Barroyo, Defender, Moreau Catholic High School (Hayward) graduate.
• Jesus Leon, Defender, of Hayward, Tennyson High School graduate.

Second Team All Coast Conference:

• Carlos Gonzalez, Midfielder, of San Lorenzo, San Lorenzo High School graduate.
• Alan Mitchell, Midfielder, East Bay Arts High School (Hayward) graduate.

All American Nominees:

• Alejandro Gonzalez, Goalkeeper, of Hayward, Mt. Eden High School graduate.
• Jesus Leon, Defender, of Hayward, Tennyson High School graduate.
• Alfredo Navarro, Midfielder, of Newark, Newark Memorial High School graduate.