Asha Zuniga sets a high standard for UAB women’s soccer. Zuniga, from Lakeland, Fla., plays as a defender and is studying Healthcare Management. In 2022, she was the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, C-USA Defensive Player of the Week three times and received the C-USA Fall Spirit of Service award. She is on the UAB Dean’s and President’s lists and currently serves as Vice President of the UAB Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
We got the chance to talk with Zuniga and learn about her beginnings in soccer and her time here at UAB.
What inspired you to start playing soccer? When did you begin?
I think I was like 4. Honestly, it was probably because my older brother was playing. I was watching him play, and that’s what I wanted to be a part of. I wanted to do whatever he was doing.
Can you share a memorable moment from your early days in soccer that has had a significant impact on you?
There’s this thing called ODP which is an Olympic soccer program that you do trials and try out for. That tryout was so stressful for me because I didn’t know anybody around; I didn’t play with any of the girls. They were from all over the state, and I did not want to do it. I ended up making the team multiple years in a row and have made some of my best friends from it. This was early on when I was like fourteen. It was really hard at first, but it paid off and I’m thankful for it.
What do you enjoy the most about your position?
I like coming up with big stops. I like coming up with big tackles, making a long run to stop an attack, or saving a goal. Anything that is significant to save us from getting scored on.
What are you passionate about outside of soccer?
I am interning at an addiction recovery clinic with the administrators of the clinic. It’s been enjoyable because I feel like I’ve decided more of what I would want to go into and what I don’t want to do. The thing I could consider a passion is the leadership aspect of administration. You’re kind of in control a lot, which kind of goes with me being in athletics and being a captain and a team leader. That’s something I strive for and desire.
What’s an interesting fact about you most people might not know?
I’m terrified of birds.
Do you have a favorite memory or tradition with your teammates?
Me and Eve Beyer (UAB goalkeeper), before every game — even if one of us isn’t playing — do our handshake and give each other a hug and tell each other that we have each other’s back. It’s very meaningful, and it’s become like a tradition.
After her last collegiate season at UAB, Zuniga plans to begin her post-collegiate soccer career. See the UAB women’s soccer team at their next game against the Temple University Owls on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT at PNC Field.
