THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2011
PAGE 7A
SOCCER
...
EARLY STANDOUT
CHRIS BRONSON/KANSAN
Freshman forward Jamie Fletcher snags Big 12 shout out, breaks school freshman goal record
RYAN MCCARTHY
rmccarthy@kansan.com
Freshman forward Jamie Fletcher has two personas.
While sitting in the media relations office, she is a quiet, polite young woman who is happy to talk about anything from soccer practice to her passion for movies or the hot weather.
On the field, she is tenacious. In the middle of the field she is always battling a defender for a crucial ball or finding a way to work into
the necessary part of
the necessary part of the defense to finish close to the goal
Still early in her college career, Fletcher has turned into an overnight sensation in the Big 12 when she was named newcomer of the week for the entire conference on Tuesday. Also, her
"I don't think I've ever scored that many goals in two games. I was really excited just to start," Fletcher said.
three goals in two games are the most by any Jayhawk freshman in the history of the program.
For Kansas coach Mark Francis this isn't anything out of the ordinary. Francis has been expecting this since the first time he saw her kick a soccer ball.
Fletcher grew up in the desert
"We knew she was good; that's why we recruited her," Francis said. "We expect her to score goals. That's her job. She obviously adjusted to it pretty quickly."
"We expect her to score goals. That's her job. She obviously adjusted to it pretty quickly.
Even with the early accolades, Fletcher continues to be modest about her role on the team.
MARK FRANCIS Coach
valley city of Albuquerque, N.M. She lived there most her life, competing in various soccer tournaments throughout the southwest.
Although her high school team was less than satisfactory, she experienced some success with her club team, when it won the New Mexico state tournament several times in her youth.
But in Lawrence, it's a whole new plateau. She's already seen a massive
MIKE GUNNDE/KANSAN
Freshman forward Jamie Fletcher volley the ball in mid air in the second half Sunday. Kansas lost to Butler 3-2 in overtime.
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gap in conditioning and individual ability at the college level compared to high school.
"On the field everyone is pushing them to do better and off the field no one takes it personal," Fletcher said.
Compared to many freshmen. Fletcher's adjustment period has been relatively smooth. She's been working out with her teammates
since July and they've witnessed enormous development.
more risks," Francis said. "She took that to heart. She did a little bit better about being more aggressive and also be a little more selfish."
"She has a knack in finding a goal and being at the right place at the right time," senior forward Kortney Clifton said.
Fletcher struggled in the exhibition opener against Butler, but with a coaching nudge in the right direction she improved immediately.
With the rest of the season ahead of her, Fletcher will face more swarms of defenders, but more chances of knocking the ball in the back of the net.
"We just told her she's got to take
— Edited by Jonathan Shorman
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