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Kara Lentz's Bio: This former co-captain of the Michigan field hockey team played on three conference championship squads and in one NCAA Final Four before graduating in 2007. Assigned to cover field hockey for the Big Ten Network she follows many other sports. Raised in sports junkie family she played seven sports competitively and earned 15 varsity letters in high school. Zap her a question in the comments area about anything played on a field or court, in a pool, or with a ball, puck or basket. |
| Apr 7 2009, 4:53 PM | Topic: Soccer | |
| When I was 12 years old, soccer was my love. I played on a club soccer team in Massachusetts and had the time of my life. We were good. We worked hard. We had fun and we won. We played like we were the Mia Hamms, Brandi Chastains and Julie Foudys of the US National Team. We played with fearless determination and a knack for putting on a show. We played like we were on center stage of World Cup and playing for the world title. It was 1997, and for a generation of young girl soccer players, a professional career in soccer was tangible. Fast forward to 2009 and I find that Chicago is home to 1 of 7 teams in Women's Professional Soccer: the Red Stars. Launched in September 2007, WPS is a second attempt at a women's pro league and as of March 29th, a promising one at that. Other than the WNBA, women athletes are allowed very few opportunities to become a pro athlete in the US, but former Illinois forward Ella Masar is living her dream. Listen to my interview below to find out why. The Big Ten hasn't traditionally been a powerhouse conference in women's college soccer (no one compares to UNC), but its alumni is making an impact on the league. Masar made her debut as a professional women's soccer player on April 4th along with former Illinois assistant coach, now-turned General Manager Marcia McDermott. After months of grueling training, the season is just underway and excitement in the national soccer community is growing. Olympic greats and international phenoms (the famous Brazilian known as Marta) are on rosters that reach from the Bay Area to Boston putting on athletic displays that will leave any girl, lady, or women soccer player dreaming of a life in professional sports; an opportunity that is opening doors for women everywhere. A life (with financial gain) in a sport after college is widening its reach and Masar is one player paving the way for the rest. |
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