Costa Rican superstar Gloriana Villalobos wins NCAA title

Costa Rica’s Gloriana Villalobos can add another achievement to her already impressive résumé.

The 19-year-old midfielder won the NCAA College Cup with Florida State on Sunday as Villalobos’ Seminoles defeated North Carolina, 1-0.

Villalobos, a sophomore midfielder, started and played 65 minutes in the championship game. Donning a Costa Rican flag, she took to Twitter following the match to celebrate the victory.

“I’m so proud of my teammates and of the teamwork from Florida State Seminoles soccer,” she wrote. “We won the NCAA title!”

CAMPEONAAAAAAAAAAS #GoNoles 💛❤️ Muy orgullosa de mis compañeras y del trabajo en equipo de Florida State Seminoles Soccer 💪🏼 ¡Logramos el título de la NCAA!

Muy feliz de llevar estos colores a lo más alto 🇨🇷#ShowedUpEarnedIt pic.twitter.com/IZ657mZv4b

— Gloriana Villalobos (@GlorianaCRC) December 2, 2018

The Costa Rican soccer federation also commemorated the accomplishment.

¡Muchas Felicidades, @GlorianaCRC!

Campeona de la @NCAASoccer con @FSUSoccer. 🏆 👏 pic.twitter.com/vXDIR9X1XD

— FEDEFUTBOL Costa Rica (@fedefutbolcrc) December 3, 2018

Despite her age, Villalobos has been a recognized name in Costa Rican soccer for years. Prior to her move to the United States, she played for Saprissa, and she represented Costa Rica at the 2014 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup and the 2014 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.

Villalobos also joined the senior National Team at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, becoming the youngest Costa Rican — female or male — ever on a World Cup roster.

The midfielder played in 21 games with Florida State this season, tallying a goal and three assists.

“It’s always an honor to be able to represent Costa Rica,” Villalobos said in a 2016 interview with The Tico Times. “When you leave the country bearing that flag, you’ve got a great responsibility because you always want to raise up Costa Rica worldwide.

“It’s always a privilege to wear the jersey and know that you’ve got the name of a country and millions of people who have deposited their faith in what you’re going to do.”

Read more of Villalobos’ interview with The Tico Times:

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