Bethany’s Eli Marquez
For Bethany senior Eli Marquez, soccer has always been a constant part of his life ever since he was four years old. The game of soccer quickly turned into a passion that has followed him through every stage of his athletic career. “My love of soccer started with church league at four and I’ve been playing ever since. I really love the excitement of a hard-earned goal,” he shared.
This year, Marquez plays striker, a role that demands confidence, awareness, and a deep trust in teammates. While he often finds himself at the top of the attack, he’s quick to share that goals are never a single effort.
“When I play at the top, my main focus is on taking the opportunities my teammates give me and turning those into goals. Just because my foot is on a goal, doesn’t mean I’m doing it alone,” he explained.
That team-effort mentality defines Marquez’s approach to the game. He believes the most important skill in soccer isn’t speed or strength, but the ability to function as a unit. “Everyone on that field is only as good as the player next to them. That means you have to talk to each other and know everyone with you on that field,” he said. Communication plays a huge role in his success. “Your voice is one of the biggest tools, but you also have to look up and know where everyone is,” he said.
Preparation is another key to Marquez’s consistency. Before each match, he focuses on both mental and physical routine.
“You have to get your body and mind ready,” he said. That means fueling your body correctly and spending time visualizing what you want to happen when the whistle blows.
This season, Marquez has made finishing shots as his biggest point of improvement. “I’ve worked really hard to not just get shots on goals, but to finish that shot with a goal,” he said. That growth hasn’t come without challenges. Last season, a groin injury flared up during the semifinals, but Marquez pushed through.
Off the field, Marquez keeps his priorities straight. He makes sure his school is done first. He does his homework early and that helps him focus more at practice. Looking ahead, his motivation remains set.
“There is nothing better than playing for your school team. My focus is on doing what I can to get us to state this year,” he shared.
As graduation approaches, Marquez is still considering his next steps. One thing is for certain he wants to study business at the college level.
