The women’s soccer team was ranked first in the SLIAC preseason poll. Read the story here
Midfielder Brianna Pagan was named All-Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) during her first three years at Webster University. Entering her senior year, she is hoping to have her best season yet.
Pagan is the first player in the history of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) to be named NSCAA All-Region in her first three seasons.
While Pagan said she is going to give her best effort to make a fourth All-Region, her biggest goal this season is to help the team win.
“I want to put my best self out on the field at every game and give everything for my teammates this year,” Pagan said. “Of course, our team goals are to win our way to the NCAA tournament, but this can only happen if we give our best effort at every game.”
Last season, Pagan scored five goals and had seven assists. She was tied for fifth on the team with 17 points.
Pagan said as a midfielder she needs to play fast, but with control.
“The speed on the outside of the midfield has definitely increased over the years and has helped in the success of the team,” Pagan said. “I am excited for the upcoming season and to see what player combinations are used in the middle of the field.”
Pagan was partnered with Kelli Cardine and Jodi Kaiping in previous seasons, but they both graduated last year. Pagan said Kaiping was a role model for her as a underclassman.
“Jodi has always been a mentor in my eyes,” Pagan said. “Her work ethic, passion and positive attitude was evident on and off the field.”
Head coach Luigi Scire said Pagan will likely be partnered with wing midfielders Olivia Osterhage and Carolyn Ries.
“All three will create matchup problems for our opponents,” Scire said.
The trio of Pagan, Osterhage and Ries combined for 37 points last season.
Pagan said she was impressed by Osterhage’s ability as a freshman, especially her speed. She also said Ries has increased her level of play each season.
“The speed on the outside of the midfield has definitely increased over the years and has helped in the success of the team,” Pagan said. “I’m excited for the upcoming season and to see what player combinations are used in the middle of the field.”
Ries has played with Pagan the prior two seasons and said she was the safety net of the team.
“Whenever she has the ball, she does a good job distributing to our players,” Ries said. “She is very strong on the ball, despite how little she is. She likes to take people on with full speed which is what I feed off from her.”
Osterhage said Pagan is a great teammate and very supportive.
“She always has a plan on what she’s going to do with the ball when she gets it,” Osterhage said. “Overall, she has helped me improve myself as a player.”
Pagan said she has been fortunate to play for a great coaching staff and their support has helped make her soccer career a success.
During Pagan’s sophomore season, she cut her leg on a bench during a pre-game warmup. Her favorite soccer memory at Webster, she said, is what the coaches did the next practice.
“The next time we were on that field, my coaches set up a playpen for me as a joke so I wouldn’t get hurt,” Pagan said. “That was a great start to that day of practice.”
Scire said Pagan understands the game and plays at a high level.
“Brianna has the same fight, passion and determination as the other top playmakers of the past,” Scire said. “She loves to compete. She will not allow anyone to out work her at practices and games.”
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