Marin, Reina sign with four-year schools

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast's Bogota Duo has signed to continue their collegiate women's soccer careers with four-year schools. 

Valentina Marin is headed to NAIA's Life University, and Sofia Reina will be playing at NCAA Division I Mississippi Valley State University.

The Colombian midfielders helped Gulf Coast win seven more games than they year before and break the 10-win plateau for the first time since 2016. The Bulldogs earned a playoff spot after missing the prior two seasons.

Marin tied for the team lead with seven assists and scored five times. She had four assists as a freshman, earning her a spot on the All-MACCC honorable mention list.

Marin earned NJCAA All-Academic First Team and Distinguished Academic All-MACCC honors for a 4.0 GPA as a freshman. 

"Being here was a new experience for me coming from a different country," she said. "It's been a new journey for me since the first day. I met a lot of people who helped me personally, academically or with my coaches with soccer. I feel more confident with my language, and I'm ready to step up to see what's next for my life." 

Life plays in the Southern State Athletic Conference, and the Eagle went 15-5-2 and lost in the SSAC championship last season. They made it to the quarterfinals of the NAIA championship. Marin will play for coach Meg Goddard. 

"It's a really competitive school," Marin said. "Also, I want to be a physical therapist, and they have a really good program over there. It's another state, and why not change a little bit?"

"She's a special player who is creative, has a wonderful left foot, and is going to succeed as she enters her next chapter," Gulf Coast coach Ryan Joiner said. "Life is getting a quality player, but also a fantastic person who gives everything."

Reina, who is moving on after just one season at Perk, had three assists as a freshman.

"In soccer, the coaches helped me to improve my skills," she said. "In my personal life, I met a lot of friends and people who helped me build my personality, be comfortable with myself to get to the next level." 

Mississippi Valley plays in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Delta Devils have made the NCAA tournament three times since 2005. Reina will play for coach Kayleigh Lambrechts.

"They're a D-I school," Reina said. "It's a good place to be focused on my things and grow better. It's a good school"

"She's a creative midfielder, who can score goals, and provide assists. Coach Lambrechts is getting a player who is committed to her career and is an excellent teammate to those around her. She's a model student-athlete as well and will have a bright future at Valley." 

For more information on MGCCC's 11 intercollegiate athletic teams, follow @MGCCCBulldogs on Twitter and MGCCCBulldogs on Facebook, and go to mgcccbulldogs.com.