In his first season on the Hilltop, graduate transfer ARTHUR SOUZA led St. Edward's men's soccer in scoring. St. Edward's team captain was electric on the field, recording eight goals, including three game-winners and an assist for 17 points to vault the Hilltoppers up the standings, placing third in the Lone Star Conference.
 
The performance earned Souza All-LSC First Team honors and United Soccer Coaches All-Region First Team recognition, for which he immediately credits his teammates. 
 
"I'm proud to be recognized alongside some fantastic players in the conference, but I'm just happy I could play in a way that helped St. Edward's win. Any of my teammates could've made First Team instead, and I'd be just as happy," Souza says. "As a forward, it's not like you're getting the ball from goal and dribbling through the entire defense. Angel makes a save, and then Irvin and Pablo play it to Jommar, Shunji, and Matt in the middle, who allow me to finish the play. The stat sheet shows I scored the goal but doesn't show you the work everyone else did to go into that."
 
As a graduate student with a 4.0 GPA, Souza says his academic life is far more independent than it was as an undergraduate. He attends classes at night, while most of his teammates finish by early afternoon. The constant reminders of deadlines are gone, replaced by a syllabus and self-motivation. 
 
Still, when presented with the LSC Men's Soccer Academic Player of the Year award, Souza was just as quick to point out that his success is a team effort, predicated on the work of all who helped him finish strong.
 
"Growing up, my parents always emphasized academics and greatly supported me. They always cared more about my grades than how many goals I scored," Souza recalls. "So, just to repay that and show them the hard work I've put in makes me happy knowing they're proud." 
 
Souza's parents, Alex Souza and Carla Souza, come from Brazil, and Brazilians love soccer. One of his earliest memories is watching his father kick the ball high enough to reach the sun and settle it on the way down. 
 
"My dad grew up with the sport, and as soon as I was old enough to watch games and kick the ball around with him, soccer was all I ever wanted to do," Souza says. "I played other sports. I ran track, tried football, tennis, and even swimming. After every season in every other sport, I was ready never to play them again so I could get back to soccer."
 
Alex Souza was equally his son's top supporter and most honest critic. He made it clear that his love was not defined by what happened on the field, and Arthur's life would not revolve around that field.
 
"The most critical thing we instilled in our boys was a lot of Christian values. God gives them the talent to study and play, so we teach them to be thankful to God for their academic talents," Mr. Souza says. "My family did not have a lot of legacy possessions. We have things based on the work we do. So, we're always telling the boys their education can never be taken away. It will guarantee their future prosperity and values, so they should extract the most out of it."
 
Arthur remembers many little moments, like his parents hiring a tutor for the SATs or when he told them at 8:00 p.m. that he needed a poster to start a project due the next day. 
 
"They were upset at me, but ten minutes later, we were in the car on our way to Target to get what I needed," Souza says. "It shows how much they care and want the best for you. It molded me into the person I am today."
 
Crucially, Souza's parents supported their son by challenging him to take advanced placement and dual credit courses in high school. 
 
"In high school, you never want to do more homework or study than necessary. You just want to show up and get your grades. They challenged me to take more demanding courses," Souza recalls. "After a while, they weren't as difficult as I thought. If not for them challenging me, I would've never had to have worked hard enough to see my true potential." 
 
That appreciation of a challenge compelled Souza to attend college out of state, where he played for the NCAA Division I University of Milwaukee. Then, after graduating with a GPA just shy of perfect, it's what inspired Souza to transfer to St. Edward's to pursue his Master's degree. 
 
"When I visited St. Edward's, it was a rebuilding team still rediscovering its culture. When I spoke to my parents, they asked if I preferred to go somewhere I could play without worrying. That seemed like the easy way out," Souza says. "I wanted to be part of something I could have a role in building. I wanted to be there for people the same way guys were for me in my first year at Milwaukee, helping me become the person I am today."
 
St. Edward's didn't just recruit Souza for his goal-scoring prowess. His technical ability allows him to find the back of the net in multiple ways, from sneaking the ball past a keeper at close range by finding an impossible angle to subtly one-touching a pass with his back heel. Head coach Brian Young and assistant Corey Miller also brought him in as an instant infusion of culture. 
 
"Arthur articulated during the recruiting process that he wanted to contribute to a team. We were a new program coming off a difficult season, but he loves challenges," Young says. "Arthur was the hardest-working player from his first day with the team. He wanted to be first in everything, even our fitness test, which he was. So, he leads by example and converses with the younger guys. He's very encouraging while also demanding more, so I knew he'd be exceptional in a leadership role." 
 
Balancing it all requires sacrifice. After wins, when most of Souza's teammates are done for the day and ready to go out and celebrate victory, his academic life is just starting.
"The balance is knowing who you are, what you prioritize, and making decisions for long-term benefits over short-term happiness," Souza says. "It's also about knowing when you work best. When I wake up and have a coffee, I have one or two hours where my brain is fresh, and I do my best studying. Knowing when you're most productive and scheduling around that is enormous." 
 
Souza also notes perks, such as returning home to Texas, where he could play in front of his family again. 
 
"In Milwaukee, everyone else would get to see their family and friends after games, and I was limited to a phone call. Now, they're here after every game, and no matter what happens, I know I'll get a hug from them," Souza says. 
 
"We got to watch him score two goals [against Northeastern State], first on a penalty kick and then off a free kick from outside the box. It was great to see him celebrating with his teammates and hug him when the game was over," Alex Souza says. "We're blessed because of the work he put into this and how he balances education and sports. So, my wife and I are very proud of him."