Sabine High School senior Analiyah Fierros, middle, signed a national letter to play soccer at Southwestern Adventist University on Wednesday at the Sabine High School gymnasium. (Thomas Bingham/Longview News-Journal)

LIBERTY CITY — Sabine High School senior Analiyah Fierros wouldn’t have earned the opportunity to play soccer at Southwestern Adventist University without her brother Ivan Castillo Rodriguez, so she appreciated him taking a few days off from his naval service to fly halfway across the country, and attend both her senior night match on Tuesday and signing day ceremony on Wednesday.

“It was very special,” said Fierros. “It was good that my brother was able to be here.”

“He would always make me go outside [when we were younger],” she added. “Whether it was cold, rainy, or whatever type of weather, I was always playing [soccer] with him. We’ve always been pretty close. I think it’s because of this sport.”

Castillo Rodriguez saw early soccer potential in Fierros, so he worked with her to become the best possible player.

“Growing up, we always were hard on each other, especially during soccer,” said Castillo Rodriguez. “She knew I was good and I knew that she was good. So, we pushed each other. [We worked on] footwork, where to put the ball, shot placement, and everything for the sport. Even the basics.”

Castillo Rodriguez joined the Navy on Aug. 4, 2020, has reached E-5 status at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia, and is scheduled to continue his military service until at least 2028. While he didn’t play soccer collegiately like his sister, his current life path allows him to continue to support her career in the sport, and pave his own competitive path as a member of a veteran semi-pro club called Navy Mid-Atlantic FC.

“I’m happy to see her sign,” said Castillo Rodriguez. “I didn’t get that opportunity. Because I went to the military, I got an opportunity to play for the navy semi-pro team. I’m [also] happy about that.”

Fierros quickly jumped on the high school soccer scene when she competed for Longview varsity as a freshman and sophomore. She produced 26 goals and seven assists in 2022 to set up both her All-East Texas Girls Soccer Newcomer of the Year recognition and piece of the District 15-5A Co-Offensive MVP title that spring. She followed that up with a 2023 15-5A first-team all-district spot.

She transferred to Kilgore for her junior year and competed for its JV team in 2024, and eventually moved to Sabine for her senior season in 2025. Her final high school campaign with the Lady Cardinals’ varsity program has been successful because her high-scoring tendencies have resulted in 29 season goals this year.

Castillo Rodriguez wanted to experience some of that, so he planned over the past month to use a couple days of his military leave this week. He arrived in time to watch Fierros’ senior night soccer match against District 15-4A foe Center from the Sabine stands at James Bamberg Stadium on Tuesday, and she delivered all three of her team’s goals in a 3-2 overtime win.

“Considering that he’s not home a lot and he’s missed a few of my games, it was really good to have him here,” said Fierros.

“I haven’t had the feeling of looking up and seeing my best friend in the stands in a long time,” she added. “It felt pretty good.”

All that personal success and preparation set up her college soccer opportunity, and Fierros found the right fit at Southwestern Adventist.

“I’m excited,” Fierros said of her future career at Southwestern Adventist. “They have a good record, and play some good teams.”

“I’ve been pushed by so many people,” she added. “Not only my brother, but I’ve played with plenty of teams with different coaches. I feel like I’ve experienced a lot of the things that I need to know so far. I’m ready to keep moving forward with it.”

Family, friends, teammates, coaches, and the Sabine High School community were all on hand when Fierros signed with Southwestern Adventist soccer during Wednesday afternoon’s ceremony at the campus gym.

“Not a lot of people get this opportunity, so I was really lucky to have them,” Fierros said of the audience at Wednesday’s event. “It’s a very memorable thing.”

Fierros’ closest companion recognizes her dedication to the sport of soccer, and expects more strong results as her college career plays out on the pitch.

“She’s adapted to [different] coaching styles,” Castillo Rodriguez said of Fierros’ track record. “She pushed herself to get to where she’s at now.”

Southwestern Adventist University is based in Keene, Texas. It is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division II Southwest Region along with Arlington Baptist University, Champion Christian College, College of Biblical Studies, Dallas Christian College, Ozark Christian College, and Randall University.