Posted 9/23/05
Stefanie Lund is in her third year at UW-Platteville, where she plays soccer. She is a two-year letterwinner from Franklin, Wis. Lund and the Pioneers play Alverno College Saturday at 7 p.m. in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.
First of all, how nice is it to be playing soccer in the largest NCAA Division III venue in the country?
"It's a big advantage for us, and it's really nice turf so it's easy on our legs. It is so big, and other teams have smaller fields, so when they come here it works as a definite advantage for us. We're in that much better shape."
While a lot of the excitement this year centers on the new field, the Pioneers' play on the field is pretty good, too. How do you evaluate the season so far?
"Our season is going really well. We have a lot of good freshmen on the team, and not that many returners (eight). We play really well together, and our team chemistry is better this year. That helps out on the field."
Every time Coach Chris Bianchi talks about you, he talks about your leadership. Is that something you work on, or does it come naturally from being one of the older players ?
"This year it's easier. I'm the only player who has been with coach for all three years, but last year was something I had to work on because I wasn't playing a lot. This year was kind of a reality check. Stepping into that leadership role is definitely fun to see how much the girls have progressed."
This is your third year in the program. What are the biggest changes from your first to now?
"We have a lot more players and a lot more skill. Coach has settled in and is an awesome coach. Everyone is out there giving 110 percent."
You are now 4-2-2. UW-Platteville has never had a winning soccer record, or even a break-even season. Is that a goal for the team?
"We want to finish first in the conference, too, and get into the conference playoffs. We want to get coach on ESPN, but we have to win a lot more for that to happen. Our goal is to always win more than the past year, so we want to win more than eight games."
This Saturday is a 1970s retro night. What exactly is that about and what will go on with that?
"Coach has themes every year, and everyone can come in 70s stuff. The girls are going to wear tie-dye. It's just a fun way to get everyone pumped up and fun for people to come and watch."
Interview by SID Paul Erickson