By Andy Tolbert
By Andy Tolbert
Santiago Castillo (Sr. CAM) of Alief Hastings Soccer
Matt Powell (VYPE)
“I enjoy all the sports and all the friends that I meet along the way,” he said. “But, soccer has always been the one that carries the most weight to me, since it was my first and the one I focus on more.”
Individually, Castillo’s growth has been steady and deliberate, emerging as one of the more consistent players on the roster from the CAM (center attacking midfielder) position.
Matt Powell (VYPE)
“I think I’ve been able to fine-tune my technical ability and finishing above other traits,” he said. “Literally growing and putting in the work to get stronger and faster has also helped me in that regard, since I used to be much smaller as a freshman. All that kind of plays off each other to make me a more complete asset on offense.”
Similar to his ideal athlete – Brazilian superstar Neymar Júnior – Castillo hopes to bring a sense of finesse and creativity to Hastings’ attack.
“Neymar has been my idol since Day 1”, said Castillo. “I’ve always seen him as a role model because of his playstyle. He’s going to go down as one of the greatest players of all time in my opinion.”
The Bears posted a 6-11-3 record in 2025, placing fifth in the district standings and just missing out of the playoff picture. However, Castillo sees the path forward clearly.
The stars of 2025-26 Alief Hastings SoccerMatt Powell (VYPE)
“I don’t think there’s any team-sport that requires more trust than soccer,” he said. “So, that’s exactly what it’s going to take for us to unlock our full potential, and finish the year with our best production.”
For Castillo, the experience isn’t just about skill or statistics — it’s about leadership and building trust within the team.
Competing against the likes of Elsik, Fulshear, Strake Jesuit, and Foster is easier said than done. But with a more defined sense of determination and a unified front led by Castillo, it’s entirely possible that Hastings will emerge as a club on the rise.
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