Building from Within the State Suits Huskers

By Erin Smith
There is no place like Nebraska, especially for five Nebraska soccer players who make up the largest group of in-state players to ever make the Husker squad.

Fans go wild for the state's best soccer products at the Abbott Sports Complex, including sophomore Vern Fitzgerald, redshirt freshman Amber Richardson, and freshmen Ashley Carter, Abby Penas and Kari Krumland.

Throw in student-assistant coach and former NU midfielder Paige Phillips, and you have a half-dozen Nebraska-born athletes who have lived the dream of wearing the Scarlet and Cream.

Most players, however, will admit that they didn't really dream of such a thing since the NU program was only beginning to grow roots when they were growing up. Nebraska soccer is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this season and products of the state's high school teams are becoming a bigger part of its success.

"I think soccer in the state is getting better," coach John Walker said. "I think it has gotten better across the country, but it is definitely developing here. Now there is some history of players like Meghan Anderson, Becky Hornbacher, Stephanie Vacek and Becky Preston doing well here, so there has certainly been progress."

Omaha native Ashley Carter has become of of the top freshmen scorers in the Big 12 this fall.

Those players plus the five on the 2003 squad are paving the way for great soccer across the Cornhusker state.

Anderson and Hornbacher have blazed the way with careers in the Women's United Soccer Association. They have given little girls someone to look up to and a goal to reach.

"I think it's nice for people in the state, both older people and younger people," Walker said. "Younger girls can look and say if Vern Fitzgerald from Lincoln East can play here, then maybe I can also. I think people tend to support Nebraska athletics no matter what, but I think there is always a special devotion for the players from within the state."

Fitzgerald is one of those players who did not necessarily dream of playing for the Huskers, but after checking out other schools and making her official visit, she decided staying at home was her best choice. She hasn't regretted the decision since.

"I actually said I was going to get out of Nebraska my whole life, " Fitzgerald said. "But then I came to camp and came on my visit and I loved it. I surprised myself by staying here because I always said I was going to go away."

Now the Lincoln East graduate appreciates the extra support and the home cooking that comes with living a few miles from home.

"It's so awesome because you know that every game you are going to have fans there," the NU midfielder said. "Some people who live far away, like in California, don't always have their family here for games. It is nice to be here and know you always have your family supporting you."

Fitzgerald underwent a major improvement from her freshman to her sophomore campaign, with a significant leap in the spring season that coaches immediately noticed.

"Vern is a great example for younger players across the state," Walker said. "She had good success at the club level. Last year it took her a little while to adjust to the higher level of soccer, but she has made huge improvements in her second semester and this fall. She is playing a key role and has made a tremendous amount of progress."

As a freshman, Carter has already made an impression on the NU soccer program. The Omaha Marian High School graduate is Nebraska's leading scorer with 10 points this year with four goals and two assists.

Growing up Carter didn't really think about coming to Nebraska to extend her soccer career. She did not really have dreams of playing anywhere.

"Of course you think that you want to go far away," Carter said. "But this is far enough. I didn't really think about playing soccer anywhere in college. Texas A&M was really the only school I really considered, but I just liked Nebraska so much more. Plus I have relatives that are three and five years old and I want to be close to them."

Carter and Fitzgerald both appreciate the opportunity to play at home in front of a Nebraska crowd that favors its home-state players.

"It's a privilege to play at home in front of my home state," Carter said. "It is so comfortable to me. I love home games."

The home season has been kind to the Huskers, providing a six-match winning streak this season against DePaul, Iowa, Mississippi State, Murray State, Iowa State and Missouri. Overall, Nebraska is 7-2-1 with losses on the road to No. 1 North Carolina and No. 14 Duke.

The Huskers have been plagued by injuries in the early part of the season and have had a short bench due to freshmen Brittany Timko and Tanya Dennis playing with the Canadian National Team in the 2003 Women's World Cup.

"We have played with a team that has had a lot of medical problems and the absence of two key players, but that is no one's fault," Walker said. "Considering that, we have done pretty well. That is a sign of a good attitude and good character by this team. No one is complaining or using it as an excuse."

The Huskers will try to extend their streak to eight consecutive NCAA Sweet 16 appearances and win their fourth Big 12 regular-season title this season. With some improvement, the goals are certainly reachable.

"We are trying to get players to understand that to be an exceptional team, we need exceptional players," Walker said. "We just need to keep improving and use every game to improve as the season progresses."