SAN MARCOS, Texas – Former Texas State soccer student-athlete Juana Plata signed a professional deal earlier this month with C.F. Monterrey of the Liga MX Femenil, the top division of professional soccer in Mexico.
 
"This is a huge blessing and I look forward to making the most out of my new home," Plata excitedly said.
 
"It has been really fun to watch Juana's journey from high school to the pros. She has worked incredibly hard throughout her college career and it's exciting to see her achieve her goal of playing at the highest level," said head coach Steven Holeman. "We will all be cheering her on as she plays out her dream on the soccer field.
 
In her one year competing for the Bobcats in 2022, Plata played in 17 matches at left back, helped lead the team to a second-place finish in the Sun Belt Conference West Division and put together a 12-win campaign in Coach Holeman's first year leading the TXST program. She led the team with five assists with four of them coming off of corner kickers. Her performance on the pitch saw her be named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team.
 
"Steve and the Texas State staff have played a huge role in my success on and off the field," said Plata. "I can't thank them enough!"
 
Plata played her first three years at Lamar under Coach Holeman and his staff. She competed in 66 matches where to played 5,090 minutes and was credited with seven assists. In 2019, the Houston native was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Midwest Region Third Team and was an All-Southland Conference First Team honoree.
 
Competing for El Salvador internationally, Plata has been capped 16 times and helped lead the team to a third-place finish in the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games. She will look to help the national team qualify for the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup on Feb. 17 against Guatemala in Carson, California.
 
Plata becomes the second Bobcat ever to compete professionally, joining Kayle Davis who played for ZFK Spartak in 2020.
 
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