Freshmen's past translates to success on field

By Yan Digilov     10/2/08 7:00pm

It was a first for Owls Soccer, but it's happened elsewhere countless times in the past. In the 13th minute of the Owls' match against Marshall University on Sunday, freshman Chealsey Russell spotted freshman teammate Amy Beger making a run off the right wing. After finding its way directly to the feet of Beger, the ball hit the back of the net to give the Owls a 1-0 advantage. Sunday's game marked Russell's first start after she made her Owl debut only two days prior.

"It was awesome, a big relief," she said. "It was better to get everything over with, because until you actually step out and play in college, you are still nervous."

Though Sunday was the first time the two combined for a point in NCAA Division 1 soccer, the connection between these two young Owls dates back far before either of them had ever seen an SAT.

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Since the age of four, Russell has been an avid soccer player. Unfortunately, growing up in Springfield, Mo. did not provide adequate competition for the young soccer fiend who was quickly progressing beyond the span of the meager local opportunities.

Over 200 miles away, in St Louis, Mo., Beger became a standout among a pool of very talented soccer players at a young age. Her skill led her to join the nationally renowned St. Louis Soccer Club, which over the last 30 years has won more state championships and advanced more teams to regional competition than any other squad in the nation.

In 2002, coaches from the St. Louis Soccer Club spotted young Russell, who had been making the trek in search of stronger competition, playing for a league in St. Louis. After Russell shone in her tryout, the young stars met one another for the first time, playing U-12 soccer for one of the most intense soccer clubs in the nation.

As the girls grew up with on another, developing as young adults and soccer players, questions about college came to the forefront.

"We both looked at completely different schools," Russell said.

Even after Russell committed to Rice in January, the two had no idea that they would spend another four years with one another.

"Our moms talk a lot," Beger said. "When she [Russell] started looking at Rice, my parents said that Rice is a good school, and I should look there."

Though Beger was set on another university, she finally took the suggestion from her mother after being encouraged by her teammate. Beger was convinced, and the St. Louis Soccer Club graduated two Owls in 2008.

After playing together in four regional championships in ('03, '05, '06, '08) and winning a national title in '05, it should come as no surprise that in her first start, Russell found none other than her teammate of six years for a goal in the early minutes of the game on Sunday.

Together, the Owls have slowly adjusted to life on a college campus. For the first time, the friends live within five minutes of one another, Russell at Brown College and Beger at Wiess College. Seeing one another on and off the field became a scarce and comforting familiarity as they adjusted to the rigors of an NCAA athletics schedule.

"We both decided that our midwestern style is different than this southern style of soccer," Russell said. "The Midwest is more tactical, and in the South it is about strength and endurance."

Beger, 5-feet-6-inches, has always relied upon tactical ability to make an impact on the field. However, her strong, consistent effort and determination has caught the attention of her coaches and peers.

"She has a relentless work ethic and is tough on the ball," senior captain Christine Petric said. "We always have an impressive freshman class, but she has stepped up and got several goals off the bat. She is working really hard and doing a great job."

Both players' journeys to Rice have also been marked with the unfortunate circumstance of injury. Russell's appearance on Friday was the first time she and Beger stepped foot on the same field since early June 2008 after an ankle injury sidelined her for most of her senior year of high school.

After coming to Rice, she experienced another setback when she suffered a concussion in an accident during her workouts. After playing on the same side of the field for most of their careers, Russell playing in the backfield and Beger at midfield wing, stepping back on the turf was a special moment for Russell.

"Once you get into the game, the intensity is high and everyone plays a little different," she said.

Beger, who tore her ACL in 2006, and Russell, with these experiences behind her, bring the understanding of battling through injury to a team that has folded before under the pressure of falling players. Russell's return coincided perfectly with the numerous holes that opened after the defense was dissolved due to injury.

Now, both freshmen are being asked to bear a large load and fill positions that had previously been held by experienced long-time starters. Both cited junior Shelley Wong and sophomore Meghan Erkel as players that exhibit the hardworking, consistent attitude that has become synonymous with the Rice brand of soccer.

Coming off a tough loss in the opening game of conference play, the duo knows that the pressure is on.

"That loss was both good and bad," Beger said. "It showed us that we can go off a high and start over from scratch. It is consistency that makes a team great."

As the young players work on consistency on the field, the promise of a four-year extension of their friendship will continue to work as reliable support system.

"It's going to be fun," Beger said. "We have been growing as players for the last four years. It is not really a change."

Though their roles on the field have not changed, their ability and position as leaders on the field are constantly developing. With each other's help, the their Midwest flair will help elevate Rice Owls Soccer to new heights.

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