By ALEX ABATE ~ Sports Writer

Poplar Bluff's Martin Esquivel has a desire to compete.

He is looking to take the dedication to the next level as he recently committed to play soccer at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Okla.

Esquivel is looking forward to the change of pace that the new place will bring.

"It looks like a good school," Esquivel said. "I went over there to see it and it looks pretty good. It's their first year playing (soccer) so it might be a chance."

Esquivel, who grew up in Mexico and moved to Poplar Bluff eight years ago, got offers from Crowder and Missouri Baptist but just likes the challenge of a new place.

"I just want to see if I can get some playing time," Esquivel said.

Esquivel played midfield for the Mules where he scored three goals and had three assists during his senior year but at Northeastern, he will play forward.

"He actually told me that I have good ball skills and I can push the ball forward," Esquivel said.

He is solid when it comes to the fundamentals and Xs and Os of the game, Poplar Bluff coach Mark Papp said.

"He is a very technical player and has very good skill with the ball," Papp said. "At times, we talked to him this season about playing a little more simple and connect passes and I thought he did a very good job this last year and that is what drew the coaches to him."

The better competition will force Esquivel to raise his skill level at the next level.

"I have to work on getting in shape and work on my left foot," Esquivel said.

Many issues that Esquivel dealt with over the course of his senior season had to do with fitness.

"He definitely need to work on his fitness and if he can get himself fit, that will help a lot," Papp said. "A lot of times games come down to which team is more fit because a lot of times you go up against a team that is just a skilled as you are and what separates you is either tactics or fitness."

The Mules struggled through this past season as they were a young squad that many seniors from the year before. As a junior, Esquivel scored twice and set up nine goals as the Mules finished 13-12.

During his senior year, Esquivel led with his solid play, something that will benefit him at the next level, Papp said.

"I felt like he led more out of example than verbally," Papp said. "When something needed to be said, he was more than willing to say it."

Even though the Mules finished with a 5-19-1 record this season, the disappointing finish didn't stop Esquivel's drive to succeed.

"I like to win and I get focused a lot," Esquivel said.