Sibling soccer stars shine bright

The new soccer field is a fresh canvas, where three sets of Warrior siblings are writing their own chapters in the Warrior story.

Among the talented athletes are the Zavala siblings: Carlos, Enya and Hugo; the Urbinas: Jesus and Aaron; and the Zukelys: Zebediah and Zekiel.

As a senior, Enya Zavala relishes the opportunity to share the field with her younger brothers.

“It feels cool just because it’s my last year playing and I get to share that experience with them,” she said. “Playing in the stadium is a great way to end my senior season and being able to enjoy it, especially having my family also being included with it as well.”

Carlos ’27 said it was strange at first to share the field with his brother because as younger athletes, they always played on separate teams.

“Now we play on the same team and practice every day together.”

He said playing soccer at Bishop Noll has shaped him as a person.

“I now know how to manage my time better than most people, because every day I have school practice and I have to eat, shower, and do homework.”

Hugo ’28 echoed his siblings’ sentiments, noting that playing together has strengthened their sibling relationship.

“We spend more time together outside of home,” he said. “The new stadium... is close to home and my parents can support me.”

Soccer player Jesus Urbina Jr. ’26 also shares the playing field with his sibling, Aaron ’27.

“Sharing the field with him makes us both feel more confident and supported,” he said. “The wins mean even more when they are shared with him.”

Jesus believes that playing together has strengthened their sibling bond.

“It feels great because we guide each other through the difficult times in the sport. He understands the commitment, and what it takes to have each other’s back on challenging days,” he said.

One of Jesus’ most memorable moments at Bishop Noll was when Bishop McClory blessed the new field. It was an honor to be a part of that, he said.

Looking ahead, Jesus is optimistic about the future of Bishop Noll soccer. “I believe the new stadium will encourage more students to get involved in our school sports,” he said.

Aaron agrees, saying the team is only going to improve with more students coming in, students like his big brother.

“In an amazing way the school is so blessed to have this opportunity and it will 100 percent lead to growth in all areas of sports and just make the entire school compete better.”

For Aaron, playing soccer has helped shape him as a person.

“It helped me make

The Zukley brothers are used to keeping the soccer turf in the family.

Both previously played on the same team as brother Xavier ’23.

“Playing soccer with my brothers has been an amazing experience,” Zekiel ’25 said. “There’s nothing like the family you create on the playing field being a part of your real-life family.”

Brother Zebediah ’26 agrees.

“I always looked up to my brothers and couldn’t wait to become a Warrior. To be playing together, I feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.” Both Zeke and Zeb also are playing football this fall for BNI.