By Bill Sheehan 

Most college soccer players come up through the club ranks. Erick Serrano, a senior midfielder for Cal State Fullerton, took a different path. 

Serrano, who grew up in the eastern Coachella Valley community of Mecca, played in pickup games at the park and in recreation leagues. 

"Our town's only soccer field was in a park across the street from my home. I was always playing against older guys who seemed bigger and stronger," said Serrano, who stands 5-foot-6. Competing against taller opponents was just one of the challenges he has faced in life. 

Serrano's family migrated from El Salvador's capital, San Salvador, when he was 3 years old. His parents split up three years later, and money was always tight living in Mecca, an underserved, agricultural area whose population is nearly 99% Latino. 

"I grew up with fewer resources, but I think it gave me an advantage on the field. If I didn't advance in soccer, I would have had to stay in the Coachella Valley and work in the fields. I had everything to lose, which wasn't always the case for other players," he said. 

A year ago, Serrano made a splash in his first season as a Titans starter. He was named the 2023 Big West Conference Midfielder of the Year and earned First Team All-Big West honors. He notched four goals and eight assists, helping the team win its first regular season Big West Championship since 2017. 

This season, Serrano was named to the Big West Preseason Coaches Team and scored his first collegiate hat trick in a 6-1 win against Utah Tech. His eight points (three goals, two assists) through seven games ranks second behind teammate Roberto Ordonez (12 points). 

Fullerton, which is 2-3-2 in non-conference play, will meet Gonzaga (6-2) on Wednesday at Titan Stadium. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Fullerton's three losses were against nationally ranked teams Stanford (#3) and Marshall (#6) and defending Big East champion Xavier. 


Erick Serrano will graduate this fall with a sociology degree. He aims to play professional soccer and eventually become a community college teacher and coach. (Photo by Bill Sheehan) 

"As a staff, the very competitive schedule we have put together provides us with quite a bit of information for our team," said Fullerton head coach George Kuntz. "It is our goal to take lessons from each game and solidify our playing identity. Our student-athletes are growing positively in their roles." 

"When Erick was an underclassman, we told him he could do great things," said Kuntz. "Once [former Titan and Big West Midfielder of the Year] Sebastian Cruz left after the 2022 season, Erick was the next man up. He embraced it and did very well." 

Serrano is very skillful and very institutive, said Kuntz, who is in his 10th year at Fullerton. "He is an elusive player with a very quick shooting release, and he can finish. His work ethic is phenomenal." 

"As good as he is as a player, he's an even better person. He is doing all the right things to get himself to the next stage -- as a professional player." 

Serrano said he struggled initially at Fullerton. He was overwhelmed when asked to play a variety of positions. "They had me at striker, center-forward and wing. I didn't feel comfortable because they weren't using me in my natural position." 

He received encouragement from Cruz, who now plays for Sporting Kansas City II, Next Pro club affiliated with the city's Major League Soccer team. "Sebastian had a huge impact on me. I trained with him every day, and he pushed me where I needed to be. 

"Ultimately, knowing these different positions have really helped me as a starting midfielder, especially dealing with spacing on the field. You will see me all over the field – at the center, out wide and at the top," said Serrano. 

"While most teams favor an aerial game, we prioritize playing the ball on the ground with two feet, which complements my game. I have a lower center of gravity because of my size. That helps me in in close quarters when opponents are trying to knock me off balance." 

Serrano, who turned 22 on Saturday, is quick to credit his fellow players and coaches with his success. 

"Obviously, being surrounded by good teammates has helped my confidence. The people around me make me look so much better. They are the ones who take care of the dirty work. I get to shine because of them," he said. 

He praised Kuntz and Titans assistant coach Enrique "Kiki" Cardenas for pushing him to reach his potential. "I didn't play up to their expectations at first, but they didn't give up on me. They wouldn't let me quit. 

"George is the most competitive guy I know, and he instills that competitiveness to us. He's a great role model. I have known Kiki for a long time. He is so knowledgeable about the game." 

At Desert Mirage High School in Thermal. Serrano finally began receiving advanced coaching. He scored double-digit goals every season in a four-year varsity career. As a senior, he collected 30 goals and 30 assists. 

He was named Desert Valley League MVP as a junior and a senior and was a three-time all-league selection. Desert Mirage won a CIF Division 4 championship in his sophomore season. 

That was the same year Serrano first crossed paths with Cardenas, who was then head coach of College of the Desert in Palm Desert. "Kiki was scouting another player at a game, and he told me that I had made a good impression. And he started keeping tabs on me," he said. 

"I like to say players are made in the street. Erick learned to play competing with friends and family at the park," said Cardenas, who join the Fullerton staff in 2020. "He has a lot of love and passion for the game. He covers a ton of ground, is very strategic and is super difficult to defend. His tenacity and competitiveness are top-rate, and his soccer IQ is very high." 

While at Desert Mirage, Serrano also played for the soccer clubs Golden State and FCA during the off-season. FCA is sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. 

"FCA had a major impact on me. The organization not only improved my soccer skills but also helped me grow my relationship with the Lord. That experience taught me how to become a better son, a better brother and a better friend to people. " 

Serrano graduated from high school in spring 2020 amid the Covid pandemic. He didn't receive any soccer scholarship offers and took online classes for two semesters at College of the Desert, the community college that serves the Coachella Valley. 


At Desert Mirage High School in Thermal, Erick Serrano was named Desert Valley League MVP as a junior and a senior and helped the school win a CIF Division 4 championship. 

On Cardenas' recommendation, Kuntz scouted an FCA game in which Serrano scored four goals. Soon after, Fullerton offered Serrano a scholarship, and he arrived for the 2021 fall semester. 

"I owe a big thanks to Coach Kuntz. He made it possible for me to get a college degree," said Serrano, who will graduate this fall with a bachelor's in sociology. He will become the first member of his family to earn a college diploma. In fact, only 1.4% of Mecca residents hold a college degree. 

Serrano's father Jose is a construction worker. His mother Yesica works in agriculture. He has a younger brother Jose, three half-brothers and one half-sister. 

"Soccer is huge in the Coachella Valley on Sundays. My father played soccer in El Salvador and California. I would go with him to the park and watch him play. He inspired me to work on my skills. My mother was very supportive and would drive me to my games." 

Serrano lived with his mother, while his brother Jose was brought up by their father. "I've gotten closer with my brother in the last few years," said Serrano. "My other siblings are all pretty young, but I try to play video games with them when time permits, which allows me to keep in contact." 

"My dad works 11-hour days, six days a week, so it's tough for him to watch me play. But I'm hoping my parents can make it to our Senior Day game." 


Erick Serrano, with his father Jose, displays a championship trophy after his team won the recreation league championship. 

Serrano said his personal goal on the pitch is to get 1% better than the day before. "If I can improve a little bit every day, I will be so much better in the long run. As for team goals, I expect us to repeat as regular season conference champs, win the Big West Tournament and go to the NCAA Tournament," he said. 

Like his mentor Sebastian Cruz, Serrano plans to pursue a professional soccer career. He also wants to earn a master's degree so he can eventually teach and coach soccer at College of the Desert. 

"I want to be able to go back to the Coachella Valley and be a bridge for young people like me to go to a four-year college," said Serrano. "I know what it's like go from a small town to a big college community and succeed. I want to help other kids have the opportunity to live the same dream I did." 

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