By Mitch Streufert
The U of L women’s soccer team is off to a fast start in 2010 going 5-0, and knocking off in state rival Kentucky last Thursday was just icing on the cake.
After struggling in 2009 the Cards seem to have an heir of confidence in their stride this season. This newfound confidence could be a result of a lot of new variables associated with the Cards this season, but if you go a little deeper many people close to the team will point in one direction to why the Cards are having success so far this season. The person they are pointing at is freshman forward Christine Exeter.
Exeter is a biology major from Ontario, Canada, and so far this season she has been the catalyst that has fueled the Cards to an undefeated start to the 2010 season. Exeter has scored three times already this year twice against the University of Toledo on Sept. 3. As Exeter goes so do the Cardinals, and according to head coach Karen Ferguson-Dayes there is a reason why Christine propels the team.
“Christine is just a table setter, she sets the tone early on in a game and never waivers,” said Dayes. “She is just hard to handle anywhere on the field, because she controls the ball so well which is pivotal to setting up her teammates. And to cap it all off she finishes opportunities given to her, and you can’t teach that.
With all the praise Christine has gotten so far here at U of L she will be the first one to say that she has had help along the way to be accomplish all that she has.
“Well first off I have to thank my parents for always believing in me, and pushing me to become the player and person I have become,” said Exeter. “Secondly, coming here to Louisville has been a great experience, and everyone has welcomed me with open arms. I am so comfortable here, and when I’m comfortable I’m able to be successful in all that I do. So you see the people around me are a big reason to why I have played well so far this season.”
Another trait that stands out in Christine is her strength as a teammate on and off the field.
As a freshman she has come in a led by example showing up to practice early, and pushing her teammates during practice to be better. But according to red shirt freshman Angelika Uremovich that’s not where her greatest quality lies.
“What can I say, Christine is just the nicest person I know,” said Uremovich. “She is always genuine, and not one person on this team has ever had an issue with her. Christine just has the serenity about her this composure that is always with her that calms people down on and off the field. Having someone like that on this team has defiantly made us better any way you slice it.”
Coming up this week the Cards take on Big East rival Cincinnati on Thursday Sept. 16 at Cardinal Park. The Bearcats are also undefeated, as U of L tries to avenge a 2-0 defeat last year to Cincinnati on September 18, 2009. Christine just hopes she can continue performing at a high level to help the Cards win.
“Hopefully I can keep performing well, and we can take down Cincinnati,” said Exeter. “They are a good team, and we will have to be at the top of our game to beat them.”
