SAN JOSE, Calif. - Spartan fans, say hello to Cynthia Flores! The midfielder from Bakersfield joins the Spartans as a true freshman out of Liberty High School where she was a three-time all-league performer. From 2016-19, Flores helped the team win three consecutive league titles, and she served as the team captain her senior season. Flores also earned three-straight all-area awards. Get to know more about Cynthia below!
Q: How old were you when you began playing soccer and at what point did you decide you wanted to play at the collegiate level?
Cynthia: I started playing soccer when I was three years old. I didn't know I could play in college until the age of 12. So, basically, when I was 12, that's when I knew I wanted to play in college.
Q: Who is your favorite soccer player?
Cynthia: My favorite soccer player is Kevin De Bruyne. He plays for Manchester City and is such a technical player. I love the way he sees the field, not just what is in front of him, but all other options that he has.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies outside of soccer?
Cynthia: I enjoy wood carving. My grandpa had a whole shop of tools, so I tried it out around freshman year and enjoyed it ever since. You can create pretty much anything and it helps if you need a little alone time, because no one will talk to you over loud saws and sand belts.
Q: What is the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
Cynthia: It's funny because it kind of fits into what's happening with all of this COVID-19 stuff. When I was younger, my grandma always said anytime we came in the house "lavese las manos," which means 'wash your hands' in Spanish. So I would rush to the sink so I wouldn't be yelled at about washing my hands. Now look, I don't have to think hard about washing my hands because I was scared about it as a child.
Q: What is the best part about playing midfield?
Cynthia: I think the best part about playing center mid is the unlimited amount of creativity you have. Personally, I love to score, but I find an assist that leads to a banger goal is way better.
Q: What is your favorite movie?
Cynthia: Titanic or the Hunger Games series. I'm a person that enjoys movies that has powerful women in them, has lots of action and has some history in them.
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
Cynthia: I can solve a rubik's cube in under a minute.
Q: If you were stuck on a desert island, what are the three things you would bring with you?
Cynthia: Water, because you need that to stay alive, a camel to carry me, and coloring books with crayons to stay entertained.
Q: If you could have dinner with any person, past or present, living or dead, who would it be?
Cynthia: Queen Elizabeth II. Like, it would be sick to eat with her. She fought in WWII, ruled during literal change in this world from world powers fighting to technology. I just find her a killer person to hang with and just to say that I ate with the queen would be a flex.
Q: Why did you choose San Jose State?
Cynthia: I chose SJSU to play and attend school because this program is great with Lauren Hanson as head coach. She had a record that surprised me for how short of a time she had been here. Also, I needed a college that is in the city because I love city life. I need the fast-moving style.
