Quick Facts
Biography
Regina Marie "Gina" Oceguera Schmuhl (born September 4, 1977) is a Mexican American former professional soccer player who represented the Bay Area CyberRays of Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). She was also a member of the Mexico women's national football team and captained her country at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Playing career
Club
In 2000 Oceguera played for Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) team Sacramento Storm.
She was drafted by San Diego Spirit ahead of the inaugural 2001 season of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). When Joy Fawcett returned to San Diego from maternity leave in mid-season, Oceguera was cut from the roster to accommodate her. She had totaled 18 minutes of action across two games.
The Bay Area CyberRays then picked up Oceguera, who was delighted to be signed by her local team. Her $1,000-per-month contract was small compared to the league average which was in excess of $40,000-a-year. An anterior cruciate ligament injury sidelined the CyberRays' Australian defender Dianne Alagich and gave Oceguera an opportunity to play. She contributed to the team's success in winning the first ever WUSA Founders Cup.
In 2002, Oceguera-Eagleson—as she was then known—quit soccer to pursue a career in teaching.
International
A promising forward for Cal Poly Mustangs in college soccer, Oceguera was converted to a defender by Mexico's coach Leonardo Cuéllar. She was one of several Californian players with Mexican eligibility to be called up by Cuéllar. She played as a sweeper for Mexico at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, captaining the team in their opening 7–1 defeat by Brazil.