Communication helps rookie fit in
Oct. 6, 2008 - Regina Leader-Post
By Chris Jaster
Kelsey Abstreiter felt a lot of pressure on the weekend.
The rookie defender on the University of Regina's women's soccer team made her first start -- in the middle of the last line of defence.
"I think it's a lot of pressure, but everyone on the team makes you feel like you fit in," said the 18-year-old. "I don't mind it at all. I want to step up because our centre back got hurt, so I want to step up for her."
Abstreiter replaced an injured Katie Santha on the back line.
Her debut as a starter couldn't have come against more difficult opponents -- the seventh-ranked University of Victoria Vikes and the 10th-ranked University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.
Regardless, Abstreiter and the young back line allowed only two goals on the weekend, losing to Victoria 2-0 and earning a scoreless draw with UBC.
"It's exciting to be in there and have a tie," the first-year industrial-engineering student said of the UBC game. "I feel like I was a part of it along with the whole team."
Central defenders don't just guard the area closest to the goal. They also need to communicate with other defenders, midfielders and the keeper.
Abstreiter wasn't worried about that on the weekend, knowing it was not just up to her to communicate well.
"I think that anyone playing in a defensive role has to step it up and communicate with the whole team," she said. "(Everyone has to) make sure there's lots of communication."
Abstreiter, who played the full 90 minutes in each game on the weekend, has played with many of the Cougars players before. She said the familiarity and feeling at home in the locker room was why she joined the team.
The rookie felt right at home when she was on the pitch on the weekend.
"I felt comfortable," she said. "I was nervous at the beginning, but once I started playing I felt comfortable with them.
"I don't feel out of place at all."