Audrey Castillo: Athletics Profile
WSC NORTH DIVISION CO-PLAYER OF THE YEAR KICKS HER WAY NORTH
Audrey Castillo is on quite a run.
The 19-year-old Oxnard native turned in a sensational sophomore soccer season at Ventura College, leading the Pirates to a 10-7-5 record – including the program’s landmark 350th victory – and a berth in the CCCAA (California Community College Athletic Association) Southern California Regional Playoffs.
A versatile and talented midfielder and forward, Audrey led both her team and the entire Western State Conference (WSC) with 35 points in conference play, scoring 13 goals and notching nine assists as the Pirates went 8-1-1 in 10 WSC games. Audrey’s standout scoring and strong overall play earned her WSC North Division Co-Player of the Year honors from the conference coaches. After finishing with 55 points on 22 goals and 11 assists in 22 total games, Audrey became just the 11th player in the VC Pirates Soccer Team’s 23-year history to earn the top WSC North Division individual accolade.
“That was the best soccer season of my whole soccer career because I put in the work every single day and didn’t put any limits on myself,” explains Audrey.
Audrey’s strong showing at Ventura College also served to propel her to the next level in her budding career. After graduating with an associate’s degree in the Arts, the former Pacifica High star signed a national letter of intent to continue her athletic and academic pursuits at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington. The Eagles compete in the Big Sky conference in (National Collegiate Athletic Association) NCAA Division I.
Audrey’s powerful performance played the primary role in reaching the next level in her career and life. But to hear her tell it, a crucial assist goes to coach Steve Hoffman. “I remember in the beginning of my sophomore season, I was unsure about my future in soccer,” recalls Audrey. “But Coach Hoffman had told me that if I keep working hard that I would make it to a Division I program. That really flipped a switch in my head to accomplish this goal.”
Goals certainly have become familiar to Audrey. She leaves Ventura College and flies off to join the Eagles having netted 30 goals and tallied 14 assists for 74 career points in just 44 games as a Pirate. She models her game and attitude on confident and prolific U.S. Women’s National Team star Alex Morgan and plays with an edge that belies her 5-foot-3 stature. Twice a first-team All-WSC selection, Audrey has the attitude, skill set and experience needed to transfer her success to Division I competition.
“I think my best asset is that I love to take players on and go to goal,” says Audrey. “I’m aware I’m not the biggest player on the field, but that doesn’t stop me from playing aggressively. That goal-driven mentality is really what gave me an edge at Ventura College.”
Audrey doesn’t hesitate to explain that the foundation for her success was laid at Ventura College. She received assistance to fund her education via the Ventura College Promise and the California College Promise Grant. On the field, her coaches and teammates inspired and pushed her to perform to the best of her abilities.
“As far as my journey at Ventura College, I wouldn’t change a minute of it,” says Audrey. “I think what really made me play to my full potential is that my teammates and coaches genuinely believed in me. I’m so grateful to have received a great college education without having to pay for two years.”