New soccer star shines this season

The men's soccer team has won its first Western State Conference game since 2008 and a new player with years of experience contributed to the victory.

Matt Xiao, 19, the left midfield winger, first started by playing soccer at age nine with his older brother when they were growing up in China.

Seven years ago, the Xiao family moved from Guang Zhou, China, to Temple City, California.

Xiao has played with the Oak Ave Middle School soccer team in Temple City and the Los Angeles Futbol Club Chelsea, which is a youth soccer club located in Pasadena.

This is his first semester at Citrus College. The most impressive game that Xiao played at Citrus is the one against Moorpark College on Oct.14.

The Citrus Owls defeated Moorpark College by 3-2. Xiao, Jose Garoes, and Bradly Johnson scored the 3 points.

"I'm glad to had a goal and two assists in the game against Moorpark," Xiao smiled.

"My goal is to become a professional soccer player and get famous," he said.

He said he would never postpone his college education because coming back to school is not difficult.

Especially considering the comparatively short career life of an athlete.

Xiao is seeking chances to play in Guang Zhou Evergrande Football Club, the number one ranked professional soccer team in China.

He is ambitious because he knows whom he wants to be.

Arjen Robben and Ryan Giggs are the two of Xiao's favorite soccer stars.

Robben, a Netherlands-born soccer star, has been active since 2000. He played at Euro 2004, the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup and is known for several deciding goals at international level games.

Giggs is the legendary football player of Manchester United and the most decorated player in English football history, holding numerous honors.

Xiao sees these two worldwide famous soccer players as his role models.

He spends four hours a day to practicing soccer: two hours of self training in the morning and two hours of team practice with the Owls in the afternoon.

"Matt is a talented player and quite noticeable," said coach Fred Bruce-Oliver.

"He is good at getting more plays. I hope he can come play next year."

Assistant coach Eddie Gutierrez is also optimistic about Xiao's skills.

"He would be able to score if he wants to," Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez also said that Xiao knows how to cooperate with team players well.

Xiao has a goal for himself to score 10 points in this league season.

"We can beat the record, which is nine points. It's challenging, but breakable," Xiao said.

As of Nov. 4, the team stands at 4-10-5. Matt Xiao scored 3 goals and 4 assists during this season.