For Cal State East Bay senior midfielder Isabella Hernandez, choosing to become a Pioneer was a decision rooted in home, family, and identity. Born and raised in Hayward, Hernandez always envisioned playing college soccer in a place that reflected where she came from. "I chose Cal State East Bay because it allows me to stay close to home and family," she said. "Being able to represent my hometown while playing the sport I love means a lot to me."
 
She felt an immediate connection to the program and the people in it. "Our athletics department is top-tier," Hernandez added. "The coaches, staff, and culture here really pour into us as athletes and people. I've found a community that pushes me to grow, supports me, and it truly feels like home." The location was an added bonus. "We're central to so much in the Bay Area," she said. "I've been able to explore and learn more about the Bay than I have in all of my years living here."
 
Family remains at the heart of Hernandez's journey, and she cites her parents as her strongest motivation. "My mom and dad are two of the hardest-working and most selfless people I know," she said. "Seeing how much they've sacrificed inspires me to take full advantage of every opportunity, on the field, in the classroom, and in how I carry myself." Both parents played soccer growing up, with her mother still competing today, offering Hernandez a support system that fully understands her passion. "They inspire me to work hard, stay grounded, keep my faith, and be someone younger athletes or even my future kids could look up to," she said.
 
Looking ahead, Hernandez hopes to pursue a career in physical therapy after graduating with her degree in Kinesiology this spring. "My next goal is to attend Physical Therapy school," she said. "I'm especially interested in becoming either a pediatric physical therapist or a sports physical therapist." She has also chosen to minor in psychology, believing deeply in the mental side of rehabilitation. "Rehabilitation isn't just physical," she said. "The mental side, confidence, motivation, emotional recovery, is just as important. I want to help my future patients not only heal their bodies but also feel supported, encouraged, and empowered."
 
Her path to East Bay, however, was shaped by adversity. During her freshman year at her previous school, Hernandez struggled significantly with confidence and mental health, describing an environment that made it difficult to feel supported. "It reached a point where I was questioning my love for the game," she said. Entering the transfer portal became a turning point. "I knew deep down that I still loved soccer, I just needed the right environment to grow," she said. "When I visited East Bay, everything felt different in the best way."
 
The move proved transformative. "Since coming here, I've been able to rebuild my confidence, rediscover joy in playing, and remember why I love this sport," Hernandez said. As she prepares to close out her career, she often reflects on how close she once was to stepping away. "I'm really proud that I chose to continue playing," she said. "It's brought me so many amazing people and memories that I will hold close to my heart forever."
 
Those challenges also ignited a passion for advocacy, particularly surrounding mental health in college athletics. "I am very passionate about student-athlete mental health," Hernandez said. "Athletes are expected to push through adversity, and a lot of the time, we don't feel like we have the space to talk about the emotional side." Her academic interests mirror that passion. "I want to integrate sports psychology into physical therapy more than it already is," she said. "I want to help athletes not only heal physically, but feel supported mentally and emotionally throughout their journey."
 
As she enters her final season, Hernandez carries herself with the pride of a hometown representative, the resilience of an athlete who fought her way back, and the compassion of someone who hopes to make a difference beyond the pitch. "I've found balance, support, and a place that feels like home," she said. "And that has made all the difference."