On any given fall afternoon at Mount Royal University's Stadium field, it's hard to miss the parents of 5th-year midfielder Zyna Centeno. Throughout her final season, they have yet to miss a game, and each time they walk down to find seats before a game, they often carry with them a large cutout of their daughter's face. It's not a showboating tactic or for publicity, but rather an extension of their love for Zyna.

Living in Calgary for the past 5 years, Centeno called Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, home during her upbringing, a place where her athletic career took shape.

"My parents put me in a lot of different sports as a kid; soccer ended up being the one for me. I started when I was around 10 or 11 years old, back in Saskatoon, with Astra Academy."

Centeno would put together an impressive 8-year career with Astra as a fast, high-motor player who primarily featured as a left fullback or holding midfielder. Even with her success in youth soccer, the passion that once filled a young Centeno's drive to reach new heights in her game faded away once she reached her final year of high school.

"I actually almost quit soccer. I just was not enjoying it anymore. In grade 12, I told my mom I didn't want to play anymore. She was like, "Try one more year and see what happens. If you don't like it, you can always go back to it."

Her decision to give soccer one last shot proved to be the right one, as Centeno's game caught the attention of Mount Royal Cougars coach Tino Fusco. Despite not viewing herself as a college soccer player at one point, Coach Fusco's belief in Centeno gave her an opportunity to excel far beyond what she could have predicted.

"Tino saw something in me that I don't think I saw in myself as a player. I'm very thankful to him for even signing me here at MRU. Now here we are, in my fifth year, which is really nice. I don't think I'd ever change my decision to keep playing."

Participating in 62 games during her Cougars tenure (2nd most in program history), Centeno has helped MRU qualify for the postseason twice and was on the pitch in 2025 when the program recorded its first playoff win in team history. Heading into her final stretch in Cougar blue, Centeno is motivated to reach the playoffs for a 3rd time and is inspired by what her group has already accomplished in 2026.

"Honestly, this program has grown so much over the past five years. Last year, just getting a taste of the playoffs again and then finishing fourth overall was awesome. I think this team is probably one of the strongest teams that we've had. I'm really excited to see how far we can go!"

Amidst all the excitement that has come during her final year on the pitch, away from it, Centeno has directed her attention towards the future. Eyeing a career in counselling, Centeno says her dream is to work with children while also teaching them the importance of mental health.

"I think mental health is a big thing in sports and in life because at times it can be hard for people to talk about it. Lots of players and even people in general keep it internalized. I think having someone there that you can talk to about even just the smallest things can help."

Throughout Zyna Centeno's soccer career, she has experienced her fair share of highs and lows. No matter the challenge, the one constant that has remained is the support that her parents have offered her both on the pitch and away from it. Every time Zyna enters a game for the Cougars, she doesn't have to look far to find the two people whose support has never wavered.

"They mean so much to me. They told me they weren't going to miss a game in my last year. They're my number one cheerleaders. It's always nice when I'm playing to look up into the stands and see my parents with a big poster of my head cheering me on."