As the rest of the UCLA women’s soccer team blares music in the locker room, sophomore forward Ashley Sanchez prepares for games in solitude, headphones drowning the noise.
She starts with four gospel songs, to reflect on the blessings that brought her this far, then switches to rap to focus on her goals. She eats avocado toast with eggs for breakfast at a local cafe and wears two small braids at the top of her high ponytail. The blaring beat frees her head from distractions in a pregame routine she has done for four years.
When Sanchez steps on the field there is no visible trace of stress.