ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — We’ve hit week three of our weekly Q&A with a returning University of New Mexico women’s soccer player as we get closer to the Lobos’ season opener Aug. 18 at home against San Francisco.
This week we catch up with senior defender Alexa Cabrales. The Mission Viejo, California, native led the Lobos with six assists last season with many coming off her strong sideline throw-ins. Overall, the outside back has played 48 games in her first three years of her Lobo career.
Let’s catch up with Alexa with this week’s Lobo 5:
Other than a phone and headphones, what is a must for you to have when the team hits the road?
Although headphones are important, I would say that having a sleeping mask is a must. I love sleeping on long drives and planes, so it’s crucial that I don’t forget my eye mask. I can fall asleep in really any position but I have to have complete darkness in order to sleep well. If I forget, having a sweatshirt to put over my face will do.
If someone asked what the best reason is to be a Lobo women’s soccer player, what would you say?
The best reason to want to be a Lobo women’s soccer player is probably the team in general. I love my team so much, and I couldn’t imagine playing somewhere else where there isn’t as much chemistry. It’s hard to NOT enjoy yourself when you’re surrounded by such positivity and fun. When school is hard, or when I miss my family, I can always count on my teammates to make me happy. The culture here is amazing, and I don’t believe I could get that anywhere else.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As a child, I always knew I wanted to work for Disney one day. Being an animator or an imagineer was always a dream of mine, as I would consider myself to be a creative person. Now I am 20 years old and not much has changed. I still want to work for the mouse, but maybe more on the business side of the company (I don’t think my stick figures would cut it in animation!).
Are you a dog or cat person?
I think this might be the easiest question I’ve ever had to answer in my life. I am for sure a DOG person. Dogs are the best: They are loyal, fun, and easy to please. Besides the fact that I think dogs are adorable, I really really dislike cats.. The biggest reason why I don’t like cats is because I am very allergic to them. I have had only one cat in my entire life, her name was Little Foot and she was very mellow.
What is an interesting fact about you most people don’t know?
One interesting thing that most people don’t know about me is that I can sing with my mouth closed. Many people don’t know this because I really only do it in a duet with my friend Casey, who is also on the team (Our go-to song is the National Anthem). It doesn’t sound pretty and it doesn’t look pretty, but it’s different and that’s special!