As a fifth-year senior, Kara Frederick's five years in Charlottesville -- as both a Virginia student and a member of the women's soccer team -- marks the longest she has ever remained in one place. Born in Okinawa, Japan, Frederick moved at least once every two years according to her father's Marine Corps assignments. Regardless of her geographic location, however, Frederick always found herself playing soccer.
"I started when I was four and I fell in love with it because I could outrun the boys," Frederick said.
This fall, No. 17 is proving not only that she can still outrun the competition but also that this season she can put the ball in the net. She scored twice in the season opener against Syracuse, just one goal shy of her season total of three in 2005.
"She has just elevated her game so much and she looks comfortable on the ball," Virginia coach Steve Swanson said. "She looks dangerous, she's taking people on -- she is doing all the things that we all knew she was capable of."
Frederick credits her heightened sense of confidence on the field to her play over the summer in the semi-pro W League. Alongside Cavaliers Becky Sauerbrunn and Sarah Curtis, Frederick competed against other D-1 players as well as former professionals from both the United States and Canada. Their team, based in Richmond, had its best season to date, making it to the playoffs for the first time ever.
"Playing with them and starting 90-minute games for them helped my confidence immensely," Frederick said. "I scored some big-time goals and after that I knew I could do it; I knew I could be a factor and make a huge impact on a really high level team."
Starting those games regularly also kept Frederick in tip-top condition for the start of the season. A constant hustler, Frederick's tireless energy and impressive work ethic are highly valued assets on a team lacking in numbers. Also, as one of the oldest members of a relatively young team, it is only natural that the younger girls look to her for guidance, and, true to form, Frederick has assumed her new leadership responsibilities with grace and enthusiasm.
"I think all of our players feel good about how much she has given to our program," Swanson said. "She is now at a point where she is really stepping up and impacting the team."
When asked what advice she thinks would be most valuable for her teammates, Frederick said she would remind them always to be courageous.
"Soccer is all about confidence," Frederick said. "If you come to a school like Virginia and feel like you don't belong, then you don't. You have to believe you are good enough to play here."
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