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Whether it’s kicking a soccer ball or a football, De La Salle’s Sissi Loza has always followed in the footsteps of her older sister, Mia.
Right now, though, it’s Sissi who has had to take the lead while Mia is injured.
Sissi, a sophomore midfielder, knows exactly what her sister is going through, too. She missed her whole freshman season with an injury.
“She’s one of our key players, so those are big shoes to fill while she’s out,” Sissi said of Mia. “When she comes back, I think we’ll be set and we’ll be even stronger.
“After missing last season, for the whole school year, this was the point I wanted to get to. It’s fun to be playing and it’s exciting to be on the field scoring with the team.”
Sissi Loza did a lot of scoring Tuesday night. She recorded her first career hat trick to lead the host Meteors to an 8-0 win over rival St. Laurence in a GCAC White game in Chicago.
Mia Ortega scored two goals and dished out two assists for De La Salle (7-1-1, 2-0-1), while Dixie Zamago, Joanna Mullen and Sara Murray all scored once.
Marissa Amador made 12 saves for St. Laurence (3-3-1, 1-2-1), which has been decimated by a recent slew of injuries.
Mia Loza, meanwhile, expects to return soon from her injury, which has sidelined her for the entire season. In the meantime, the senior defender has been beaming with pride from the bench while watching her sister.
“Going into the season, I was really excited to play with her by my side,” Mia said of Sissi. “Things happen and we have to overcome the struggle, but watching her succeed on the field makes me really proud.”
The Loza sisters have also shared experiences on the football field. Mia kicked for the varsity the last three seasons. Sissi, who has kicked for the JV, expects to take over on varsity in the fall.
“When I go to college, she’ll be there to fill my shoes just like she is now,” Mia said.
Sissi said it’s a special feeling when she and Mia step onto the football field.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for us to show that girls can play any sport,” Sissi said. “We want to show that anyone can do it because we’re girls and we get less respect for some stuff.”
Sissi Loza scored twice in the first half Tuesday and completed the hat trick just over five minutes into the second half, giving De La Salle a 4-0 lead. She now has 10 goals on the season.
“Me and Sissi are connecting,” Ortega said. “We make a good team.”
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Speaking of good teams, the Loza sisters hope to be one again soon.
“When I step out onto the field again, I think the team is going to be really set,” Mia said. “I hope I can make the team better and be a leader, and I’m just really excited to get to play with Sissi.”
Sophia Torres, Lauren Lo, Vicky Luna and Tatiyana Davis led the defense for De La Salle, holding the Vikings to one shot on goal from Veronica Jones. Emily Samuels recorded the shutout.
De La Salle coach Carlos Nunez, meanwhile, loves seeing Sissi Loza healthy and thriving after she missed a historic 2022 season highlighted by the program’s first sectional title.
“She took it really hard last year,” Nunez said of Sissi’s injury. “She watched when we went on our playoff run, and she cried her little eyes out when we won because she really wanted to be a part of it.
“Now, she’s back and she’s one of our most talented players. She impacts the game whether she’s playing defense, stretching the field or scoring goals.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
