Spring Break
New kids on the block
Pirate freshmen adjust to college level
Tommy Graham, Staff Writer
Issue date: 10/12/06 Section: Sports
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Imagine leaving home, being thrust into a new environment with rules and social structures. Imagine being asked to perform on deadline, be in specific places at all hours of the day and act responsibly at all times. For most college students one or all of these things takes place every semester. For a college athlete however, these things may mean the difference between the ability to attend college and going home.
Throw in the fact that one is less than two months into their college career and is asked to be the focal point of their respective sport. Sarah Kirkley, Jessica Swanson and Amy Szilard, have been asked to fuse together a soccer team crippled by graduation. The trio is sharing their time as attackers for the women's soccer team. Not only are the freshmen trying to adjust to college life or trying to develop an understanding of the college game on the field, but they are being asked to do so immediately.
The three have been inserted into the lineup not because the Pirate's elders have been injured, but more because their talent level warrants playing time. The three freshmen account for nine of the 21 goals scored by ECU this season. ECU's opponents have only scored 10 goals thus far. Aside from senior Tara Shaw, who has four goals and nine points, the freshmen account for three of the top four scoring slots. The trio has started 31 of 38 games at either midfielder or forward.
Adjusting to a new environment may not have been quite as hard for Kirkley as some of her teammates.
Kirkley graduated from Broughton High School in Raleigh. Kirley won three state 4-A championships while honing her skills under high school coach Izzy Hernandez.
"She's more of a playmaker, and she covers a lot of ground in the midfield for us," said ECU Head Coach Rob Donnenwirth.
Kirkley leads the Pirates with 11 points, including three assists in a recent game against Marshall. The former high school captain and N.C. Olympic development team member has started 11 games at her midfielder slot.
Throw in the fact that one is less than two months into their college career and is asked to be the focal point of their respective sport. Sarah Kirkley, Jessica Swanson and Amy Szilard, have been asked to fuse together a soccer team crippled by graduation. The trio is sharing their time as attackers for the women's soccer team. Not only are the freshmen trying to adjust to college life or trying to develop an understanding of the college game on the field, but they are being asked to do so immediately.
The three have been inserted into the lineup not because the Pirate's elders have been injured, but more because their talent level warrants playing time. The three freshmen account for nine of the 21 goals scored by ECU this season. ECU's opponents have only scored 10 goals thus far. Aside from senior Tara Shaw, who has four goals and nine points, the freshmen account for three of the top four scoring slots. The trio has started 31 of 38 games at either midfielder or forward.
Adjusting to a new environment may not have been quite as hard for Kirkley as some of her teammates.
Kirkley graduated from Broughton High School in Raleigh. Kirley won three state 4-A championships while honing her skills under high school coach Izzy Hernandez.
"She's more of a playmaker, and she covers a lot of ground in the midfield for us," said ECU Head Coach Rob Donnenwirth.
Kirkley leads the Pirates with 11 points, including three assists in a recent game against Marshall. The former high school captain and N.C. Olympic development team member has started 11 games at her midfielder slot.
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