Completed Event: Women's Soccer versus Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) on February 14, 2026 ,
W Soccer
vs Embry-Riddle (Ariz.)
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Darryl Webb
Monterroso and Recinos Represent Guatemala on National Stage
10/8/2015 11:28:00 AM | Women's Soccer
In the picture: Maria Monterroso (#8) is along side with fellow GCU player Christian Recinos (#4)
PHOENIX – The talent on the Grand Canyon women's soccer team has been recognized worldwide and head coach Stevie has been able to recruit top-talent to GCU. Juniors Maria Monterroso and Christian Recinos switched out the purple Grand Canyon jersey the past few weeks to wear their national colors, representing Guatemala in order to qualify for the Olympics.
"I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to not only play for my country but also to play for my family culture and background," Recinos said. "To have the privilege to put on the 'Azul y Blanco' jersey is a dream come true."
Monterroso has been steady for the Antelopes this season at forward with a goal and two assists. The native of Guatemala City, Guatemala is third on the team with 27 shots this season and while on the Guatemalan team, Monterroso played in all three matches including one start.
"Being able to represent my country means so much to me because I am not only playing for me but for an entire country. I have the ability to represent Guatemala in ways others could only dream of."
Recinos has been steady in the midfield for Gill this season playing in seven matches including one start against North Dakota State. The native of Arlington, Texas started in all three matches scoring two goals, along with an assist in three matches.
In the match that the two Lopes started together, during the national anthem, Monterroso and Recinos were standing next to each other, sharing this moment together.
"She (Monterroso) is like the sister I never had," Recinos said. "I am so happy we get to be a part of each other's dream."
In order to play for the Guatemalan national team, Gill had to give the women the okay to go ahead and miss some time during GCU's season and Gill gave them the distinct opportunity not many players have the chance to do: represent their country on the pitch.
"It is always an amazing opportunity to play for your country on the world stage and I'm 100% supportive of any of our girls realizing that dream," Gill said who represented his country, Canada, in the U-20's and U-23's Olympic and Pan-American Games in order to qualify for the World Cup.
"Although the timing isn't ideal as the girls will miss important conference games while they are on national team duty, you need to look at the larger picture in order to fully realize the wonderful opportunity that this experience affords the players. Having represented Canada at the national team level in World Cup qualifications, I would never dream of holding anyone back. It is a great privilege."
After the Sept. 26 match against Bakersfield on the road, assistant coach Paul Barron drove Monterroso and Recinos two hours from Bakersfield, to Los Angeles, Calif. after a 7 p.m. match to LAX Airport in order to make their 1 a.m. flight, an action that the players are truly thankful for.
"It meant a lot to me that the coaches allowed us to go play for Guatemala," Monterroso said. "To have coach Barron drive us two hours to make our flight was well appreciated because I know it was not ideal timing after our game against Bakersfield.
Both Monterroso and Recinos played on the Guatemalan team that took third place in Costa Rica during World Cup Qualifying in 2013. The two helped Guatemala go 2-1 defeating Nicaragua 2-1 and shutout EL Salvador 2-0 to advance to the next round of qualifying for the Olympics.
"I'm sure both Maria and Kiki will relish the experience and do a fantastic job for Guatemala as they have done for Grand Canyon University and we wish them the very best as we cheer them on," Gill said.
PHOENIX – The talent on the Grand Canyon women's soccer team has been recognized worldwide and head coach Stevie has been able to recruit top-talent to GCU. Juniors Maria Monterroso and Christian Recinos switched out the purple Grand Canyon jersey the past few weeks to wear their national colors, representing Guatemala in order to qualify for the Olympics.
"I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to not only play for my country but also to play for my family culture and background," Recinos said. "To have the privilege to put on the 'Azul y Blanco' jersey is a dream come true."
Monterroso has been steady for the Antelopes this season at forward with a goal and two assists. The native of Guatemala City, Guatemala is third on the team with 27 shots this season and while on the Guatemalan team, Monterroso played in all three matches including one start.
"Being able to represent my country means so much to me because I am not only playing for me but for an entire country. I have the ability to represent Guatemala in ways others could only dream of."
Recinos has been steady in the midfield for Gill this season playing in seven matches including one start against North Dakota State. The native of Arlington, Texas started in all three matches scoring two goals, along with an assist in three matches.
In the match that the two Lopes started together, during the national anthem, Monterroso and Recinos were standing next to each other, sharing this moment together.
"She (Monterroso) is like the sister I never had," Recinos said. "I am so happy we get to be a part of each other's dream."
In order to play for the Guatemalan national team, Gill had to give the women the okay to go ahead and miss some time during GCU's season and Gill gave them the distinct opportunity not many players have the chance to do: represent their country on the pitch.
"It is always an amazing opportunity to play for your country on the world stage and I'm 100% supportive of any of our girls realizing that dream," Gill said who represented his country, Canada, in the U-20's and U-23's Olympic and Pan-American Games in order to qualify for the World Cup.
"Although the timing isn't ideal as the girls will miss important conference games while they are on national team duty, you need to look at the larger picture in order to fully realize the wonderful opportunity that this experience affords the players. Having represented Canada at the national team level in World Cup qualifications, I would never dream of holding anyone back. It is a great privilege."
After the Sept. 26 match against Bakersfield on the road, assistant coach Paul Barron drove Monterroso and Recinos two hours from Bakersfield, to Los Angeles, Calif. after a 7 p.m. match to LAX Airport in order to make their 1 a.m. flight, an action that the players are truly thankful for.
"It meant a lot to me that the coaches allowed us to go play for Guatemala," Monterroso said. "To have coach Barron drive us two hours to make our flight was well appreciated because I know it was not ideal timing after our game against Bakersfield.
Both Monterroso and Recinos played on the Guatemalan team that took third place in Costa Rica during World Cup Qualifying in 2013. The two helped Guatemala go 2-1 defeating Nicaragua 2-1 and shutout EL Salvador 2-0 to advance to the next round of qualifying for the Olympics.
"I'm sure both Maria and Kiki will relish the experience and do a fantastic job for Guatemala as they have done for Grand Canyon University and we wish them the very best as we cheer them on," Gill said.
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