UNC Mirror

Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: File Photo Freshman Heidi Owen starts as goalkeeper for the University of Northern Colorado women's soccer team and has been a force to be reckoned with in front of the net.

The University of Northern Colorado women's soccer team is taking advantage of youth at a key position this season.

Heidi Owen, freshman goalkeeper for the Bears, is 6-2-1 as a starter and is providing consistency in net. Owen attended Rolling Meadows High School in Illinois and decided on UNC after her official visit.

"I love Colorado and when I went on my official visit here everything just clicked," Owen said. "I love the coaches, the players and just the environment here."

Owen had success in high school as her team won back-to-back regional championships in her final two years. She said playing in college is much different than high school because of the speed of the game and coaches attention to detail.

"The playing level and the intensity are so much greater than high school," she said.

Owen has credited her success to some early time spent on the bench. Junior Monique Wells was the initial starter for the Bears, but when she went down with an injury, Owen took advantage. She did not start in the team's first four games, all losses. Owen said she was able to learn from her teammates and coaching staff before being rushed onto the field.

"I think that being on the bench gave me an advantage," she said. "I had a really hard time adjusting at first, but as soon as I got in, it all just clicked."

UNC coach Tim Barrera is pleased with the work his freshman goalie has accomplished thus far, especially because he is used to having experience in net. Last year the team started the senior Chrissy Marvin and they opened up this year's play with a junior.

"She's pretty steady, her technique is good, she makes the saves she's supposed to and her communication is solid," Barrera said. "She's done all we've asked her to do and played with confidence."

Owen said she wasn't expecting to play much as a freshman.

"I expected to be on the bench," Owen said.

Instead of on the bench, Owen finds herself in a crucial stretch of games in which the Bears control their own destiny. They are trying to make the Big Sky tournament and set a precedent for UNC athletics.

Owen likes the team's chances and is thrilled to be a part of this run in her first collegiate season.

"I think we had a rough time starting off, but I think we're doing great right now," she said. "Our chemistry as a whole is amazing and I think we have a really good chance at going to the conference tournament."

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