Angelina Vargas ’23 is driven to succeed. Her parents noticed that quality in their daughter from a very young age and Angelina has continued to work hard as a determined student-athlete. The WardlaLAartridge senior soccer standout will reap the rewards of her dedication and talents and continue her academic and athletic career at Brown University in the fall.
On Feb. 6, Angelina was joined by her parents, Liz Espinal and Ticio Vargas, and school administrators at a ceremony to celebrate the signing of her commitment letter to attend Brown, where she plans to study psychology and make an immediate impact on the Ivy League championship women’s soccer team.
“I’m very excited, especially because it’s in the Ivy League and I feel like I’ll be able to challenge myself academically and athletically,” Angelina said. “I’m just grateful for all the people who got me here.”
Angelina thanked her parents, LA teachers, coaches and friends for supporting her and helping her to arrive at this special moment. Her parents were beaming with pride as she signed the document.
“What really impresses me about Angelina is her commitment to everything,” Ticio Vargas said. “With academics and sports, she’s always had it. I didn’t need to check her homework.”
“She’s always been very determined and very athletic and excelled everywhere she played. She’s worked so hard and she’s very determined. She puts in the work,” Liz Espinal added.
Angelina capped a stellar scholastic career that was interrupted by the pandemic with 30 goals in her senior season, boosting her career total to 78 goals. Angelina’s goal scoring frequency (goals per games played) ranks as the highest in LA history. She also amassed 29 career assists, a testament to her unselfish play.
LA head coach and athletic director Mike Romeo appreciates the many roles Angelina played for the Rams. She was a dangerous scorer and a fierce competitor who also emerged as a leader. She took many younger players under her wing and helped strengthen the team. Romeo is confident Angelina will make her mark at Brown.
“I believe Angelina is more prepared for the next level than any player I’ve coached at WardlaLAartridge and I still think her best soccer is ahead of her.” Romeo said. “She’ll definitely be missed here.”
Angelina has already demonstrated an ability to step up to a higher level and make an impact. In October 2021, she made an amazing debut by scoring a goal on her first touch in an international match as a member of the Dominican Republic national team. She expects the competition to be even more difficult at Brown, but is excited for the challenge.
“They are a very strong team and they play exactly how I play – fast and smart,” Angelina said. “They have a really close-knit team and family environment, which is what I was looking for. All the girls really want to be there.”
Angelina is not afraid to work hard. She trains twice per day under the guidance of AP2T, a local training facility operated by LA alumnus Mike Olim ’04. Her strength, endurance and agility have been greatly enhanced by these workouts, and the addition of weight lifting will make her a stronger presence as a freshman college player.
“My goal is definitely to be a starter and to have more confidence on the field. Going in as a freshman, I want to play with confidence. I have to keep training like I am now and just trust the process,” Angelina said.