Arielle Stoyanow, who plays centerback for the Cal State San Bernardino women’s soccer team, loves the sport not only because of its physicality, but also because it has taught her about leadership and the friendships she has developed with her teammates.

One of her most memorable moments happened last year when the Coyotes played Cal State Dominguez Hills at the Stub Hub Center winning the game 1-0.

“It was a real exciting game and a real exciting experience getting to play in a professional stadium,” Stoyanow said.

But being an athlete has also helped her in the classroom.

“It helped me with time management, with the hectic schedules,” Stoyanow said. “You’ve got to find time to fit in studying, homework and all that and it’s taught me to work hard in everything you do. You work hard in the field, you work hard in the classroom and vice versa. Your values and morals out in the field, you bring it off the field as well.”

Stoyanow, now in her second year here after transferring from Taft College, is majoring in kinesiology with an emphasis in allied health with the ultimate plan of becoming a physician’s assistant or nurse. She loves being at CSUSB.

“I like the people. It’s very diverse. I come from Hawaii; it’s very diverse over there as well so there is a mixture of different ethnicities and cultures that I love to learn about,” Stoyanow said. “I love meeting new people and I love learning where they come from.”