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Mariel Gutierrez: Professional Soccer in Her Sights

Mariel Gutierrez: Professional Soccer in Her Sights

˾ Coach Tim Barrera describes ˾ alumna Mariel Gutierrez as one of the most decorated players in the history of Big Sky Soccer. 

˾ Coach Tim Barrera describes as one of the most decorated players in the history of Big Sky Soccer. The four-year starter for the ˾ Bears soccer team is the only player to make All-Region all four years and one of four players to make first team All-Big Sky all four years. She was named to the Big Sky all-tournament team three out of four years while leading the Bears to three conference championship games.

On December 11, she was named to the . Gutierrez never missed a game due to injury and set the all-time Big Sky record for games played at 85.

“Being a student-athlete has been great; it gives you a lot of opportunity to gain a lot of things that I wouldn’t have otherwise,” said the two-year team captain. “You learn about discipline, time management and work ethic.”

Mariel graduated in fall 2018 from MCB with a degree in financeOriginally from Gypsum, Colorado, she was the first person in her family to go to college. Her parents are originally from Mexico and own a successful trucking company. Along with soccer, she also played basketball at Eagle Valley High School as a point guard, “so despite her small size at five-foot, four-inches and 120 pounds, she’s a really good athlete,” said Barrera.

She graduated from the Monfort College of Business in seven semesters with a bachelor’s degree in Finance. She was an Academic All-American her junior year and is likely to be named again this year when the honor is awarded. Barrera describes her as a “really humble, great, hardworking kid.”

(Image at right: Gutierrez posing for a photo with fellow teammate Erica Estes at fall 2018 commencement. Image provided by Barrera).

Gutierrez plans to pursue a professional soccer career and submitted her registration form for the National Women’s Soccer League Draft that will be held Jan. 10 in Chicago.

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