Click here for more information on Griffin Summer Sport Camps...
An Honors student who finds time to do undergraduate research, sk...
Westminster women's soccer players get ball rolling
Westminster women's soccer team kicks off first varsity season Saturday
By Jennifer Gustavson
The Salt Lake Tribune
August 23, 2007
The Westminster College women's soccer players are quiet as they rest in the shade created by the towering pillars of Dumke Field. A few players quickly bandage their blisters caused by the quick, scorching turf of the new $6 million dollar soccer field.
"It's just part of the deal," says one player. "This field is hot, but it's also fast."
While they douse themselves with water and catch a few breaths in the record-breaking heat, first-year coach Tony LeBlanc warns: "Grab a drink while you can, ladies. Now, we're gonna run."
Hot weather or not, there is work to be done before their first season.
The members of the newest intercollegiate sport at Westminster feel they have something to prove. As the team runs a practice shootout, a stipulation is voiced: "If your shot goes over the goal," says LeBlanc, "it's 10 push-ups!"
No one complains.
LeBlanc, a former Griffin, also helped organize BYU-Hawaii's first-year women's soccer program in 2006. With a young team of seven freshmen and six returning underclassmen, LeBlanc is impressed by the women's focus and optimistic about their success.
"It's rare to see a young team with so much drive," says LeBlanc. "They are quiet and focused than you'd expect. They play with no fear."
This year marks the first full schedule against fellow NAIA Division and Frontier Conference opponents, as well as a midseason match against Division 1 Southern Utah University.
"We don't have anything to compare this year to," says team captain Joselyn Londer, "so we don't sit back."
Their no-fear, attack offense led the Griffins to a 2-0 preseason win against Salt Lake Community College. Junior Jen Pirente scored both goals in the Griffins' victory.
"Jen is a brick house," says Londer. "We are excited for the regular season to begin. We are 99.9 percent better than last year."
But the players and coaches don't want to appear too optimistic. You never know when the injury bug will bite.
"This year, it's all about who can pull through and stay healthy," Londer said. "The workouts this year are definitely more intense, but there is also more drive and commitment."
"We came in pretty out of shape," LeBlanc said, "but after two-hour practices every day, we have really come around. Our biggest challenge this year will be learning about each other and forming a cohesive team."
Though most of the school's athletic programs have been in place for less than 10 years, Westminster's academic reputation and college atmosphere attract out-of-state recruits.
Standouts Kate Stoner, a freshman from Indiana, and Maddie Spere, a freshman from Olympus High School, along with a full roster of young, emerging talent will try to lead Westminster to a successful first intercollegiate season.
"We've never been more than a club team," team captain Maddie Maldonado said, "so we'll see how we do and build from there. We are just excited to be part of the beginning of a program and get the season started."
The team's first game is Saturday against Arizona's College of the Southwest. The Griffins hope for a win in their first intercollegiate game and are confident in their level of competitiveness.
The significance of this season, however, lies in more than stats.
"It's really an honor to play intercollegiate athletics," says Maldonado. "It's an experience you take with you the rest of your life and tell the grandkids. We are stoked."
They'll be even more stoked when practices are halted and play begins.