AMY WINKLER

Freshman defender/midfielder Lindsey Peeples gets ready to jump rope last week at the Timm T. Hackley Strength Training Center. Peeples has been recognized as a team leader by her coaches despite the fact that this is her first year with the team.

Tuesday September 11, 2001

Peeples welcomes the role of young leader

She is a young player in an experienced crowd and yet, somehow, freshman defender/midfielder Lindsey Peeples has made it look easy.

From getting acquainted to the pressures that come with being a freshman, adjusting to a rigorous academic schedule and soccer practice five days a week, Peeples has seen it all.

And, somehow, she hasn't even broken a sweat.

"(Arizona) has kind of turned into a second home," Peeples said. "I've adjusted really well. It's really been a lot smoother than I thought."

UA head coach Cathy Klein describes her as being a "very fast learner, consistent, relentless, and ravenous to learn," while assistant coach Melissa Estrada says "she's tough, rock solid, and an incredible athlete".

Both coaches said she is a leader on the team.

After three games at the collegiate level, Peeples said she is prepared to live up to the high standards both coaches have set.

"I think it's a big role that's going to take a lot of focus, but I'm willing to take the challenge," she said.

A four-year letter winner at Arcadia High School in Arcadia, Calif., Peeples knows what success feels like.

While in high school, Peeples was a four-time All-Pacific League honoree, a first team All-California Interscholastic Federation member and team defensive MVP while leading the Apaches to a 24-1-3 record, a No. 2 national ranking and a berth in the CIF quarterfinals her senior year. In addition, Peeples lettered in volleyball and was an honor student while at Arcadia, where she was recruited by Stanford, California and Washington State before choosing UA.

Peeples' hard work and perseverance in the short time she has spent at Arizona has brought her to the position she's in just three games into the season - a leading role on the UA soccer squad.

Yet if Peeples' mother, Lynette, had her way, the freshman might have ended up dancing for a living.

"My mom wanted me to do ballet, but it didn't work out that way," she said.

By sharpening her soccer skills - and playing two years of varsity volleyball on the side - Peeples has achieved her dream of playing soccer at the collegiate level.

From there, she said her decision to attend UA was an easy one.

"I loved the fact that it was more of a family atmosphere," she said. "It's a great group of girls and I loved the coaching."

Klein said she's excited to have a talented player like Peeples on her squad.

Among the attributes she said Peeples possesses are "great" athleticism, strong defending skills and - tops on Klein's list - a great ability in the air.

Estrada agreed.

"She's a great individual defender and she's brilliant in the air," Estrada said. "She definitely dominates in the air for us."

It's enough pressure for any freshman to handle.

Although she is a collegiate rookie competing against experienced girls - and admits to being nervous - Peeples said she will not let it hold her back.

"I'm always nervous in the beginning (of a game), but I know I have to work through it and focus on the job ahead of me," Peeples said. "I feel like I can compete with (more experienced girls), and so far it has worked out."

Freshman teammate and roommate Kelly Pakula said that Peeples is more than just a great asset on the field - she's also a great friend,

"She's an awesome friend and an awesome player," Pakula said. "She's intense, aggressive and does whatever needs to be done to win the game."

While she has four years to wear a Wildcat jersey, Peeples' mission for her first collegiate season is clear.

"I'd like to see this team come together and help this soccer program take a giant step forward," Peeples said. "Individually, I want to build my confidence level, both on the field and in the air."

The Wildcats are off to an impressive start. After losing its season opener to No. 4 Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., the team came together to sweep New Mexico and Southern Utah, while setting records for most total goals scored in a game (9) and most goals by a player (Kristi Lorona, who scored five on Sunday).

Klein said though her standards are set high, she doesn't worry about intimidating Peeples.

"Lindsey is as self-disciplined, selfless and as fine of a human being that I've come across in a long time," Klein said "The sky's the limit for Lindsey.

"There's no limit to how good she can become. I can say she has been one of the top players since the first day she arrived - academically, athletically and socially."

And she's only been here for three weeks.