ERIC JUKELEVICS

UA grad student Jerry Schuster sits in front of McClelland Hall yesterday. Schuster will attempt to three-peat as champion of The Buffalo Soldier 24-hour run in Sierra Vista Sunday.

Tuesday August 28, 2001 |

Arizona Daily Wildcat

It seems next to impossible to find a challenge that Shannon Monti has yet to overcome.

But for the senior goalkeeper, her greatest challenge has yet to be conquered.

"I want to give everything I have, knowing that I can walk away with the feeling of no regret," Monti said. "I know I'm blessed to be in the position I'm in and never want to feel that I've wasted that opportunity."

Monti's soccer career began in second grade and has yet to slow down.

Growing up playing both on the field and in front of the net, Monti's athleticism, strength and dedication led to her being a four-year letter-winner at Shadow Mountain High School in Phoenix.

As a member of the Cisco Sensations - a club soccer team in her hometown - Monti helped lead her team to the state championship her junior year and runner-up her senior year.

However, soccer wasn't the only sport Monti tackled during her high school career.

She became the first female place kicker in the history of Shadow Mountain's football program.

"It started out as a joke," Monti said. "They saw my name (Shannon Taylor Monti) and just assumed I was a boy. I ended up talking to the coach and they needed a kicker. It just came easy."

As the only girl on the team, Monti's father had just one rule.

"My dad's number one rule - I can play as long as guys didn't pat me on the butt," Monti said.

Monti's run on the football team - which lasted for only one season due to the fear of being injured - led her to a soccer scholarship at the UA.

Monti started all 20 games for the Wildcats last season, amassing a 2.59 goals against average.

Although she is expected to be a dominating factor in what the Wildcats hope to be an improved season, Monti is modest about her role.

"It's very important for me to improve in my play and I need to earn (the starting position)," Monti said. "There's great talent on our team and nothing's settled. It will be a day-to-day fight that I'll have to earn."

It's dedication to her game and the hard work she displays that have won over the rest of the team.

"She already has the respect of everyone - her players and coaches," said assistant coach Melissa Estrada. "As long as Shannon stays the person she is, we don't expect a ton out of her. She already has what we want."

And what does Monti want out of her final season as a Wildcat? To earn the respect that she feels is long overdue.

"This program has every tool needed to contend with the top teams in the country," she said. "I want to earn the respect we deserve and be able to walk away with our heads held high saying, 'I played at Arizona.'"

Although her soccer career may come at the end of the season, Monti's list of future plans is far from incomplete.

"I'm a very laid-back person," Monti said. "I have faith knowing that if soccer ends with UA, I'm (fine with it)."

As far as definite plans are concerned, Monti has just one goal in mind: to dominate her senior year.

"I want to let people know I mean business," she said. "As a leader, they need to know it's not (all right) to settle. I want to be a fearless, courageous champion."