Freshman starter

Kaylyn Plumb was understandably nervous.

There she was, a freshman from East Valley, starting in her first soccer game at Whitworth University in the heat and high humidity of Texas in August. Starting in an unfamiliar position, no less.

“I was really nervous going into that game,” Plumb said. “I wasn’t really surprised to get the start because of the way coach (Sean) Bushey had divided up the team during our fall camp.

“The game at this level is much faster than what I’ve been used to. And it’s much more physical. I’m used to being one of the biggest players on the field. At this level, everyone is my size.”

A tough, hard-nosed defender throughout an All-Greater Spokane League career with the Knights, Plumb was moved forward to join the Pirates midfield in the season opener in San Antonio against Texas Lutheran University, a game Whitworth led, 6-0, with 8:33 to play when the game was called because of heavy rain and lightning.

She scored her first collegiate goal on a free kick midway through the first half.

“I didn’t think the ball had gone in,” Plumb said. “From my angle, I couldn’t tell, but everyone started to celebrate.

“Playing in the midfield gives me a chance to get into the offense more than I used to, and I like that. The biggest difference is in the amount of running I have to do. As a defender I never had to do all that much running – the game came to me. But I’m getting used to it and I like it.”

Plumb started her second game two days later against No. 9-ranked Trinity University and scored the game-winning goal with five minutes remaining to give the team one of its biggest wins in school history.

After a 7-0 win over visiting St. Martin’s last week, the Pirates are 3-0 and ranked No. 18 in the nation according to one Web site ( www.d3kicks.com), No. 22 in an NCAA Division III coaches poll.

Having a freshman start in the midfield is a pleasant surprise for Bushey, who returns nine starters from a team that went 12-5-2 overall a year ago, 10-5-1 in the Northwest Conference.

“She has been (a pleasant surprise),” he said. “We knew she had abilities coming in, but there’s a transition to being a college player and she’s taken to it quite well.

“We have a good team, for sure. It’s made up of returning players. To come in as a freshman and earn a spot is an accomplishment. We’ve given her three starts and they’re well deserved. We’re even playing her in a different position from what she grew up playing, but she’s adapted quite well.

“She’s a good athlete with good size. She’s a strong gal and she plays real well in the air. She can move and she likes to play. And she has a good spirit about her, as well. That all comes together and makes her a good addition for us.”

Plumb said she is ecstatic about playing at Whitworth.

“I could not imagine being anywhere else,” she said. “This is such a great place to be. The people are wonderful and my teammates are so supportive. It’s a lot like being part of a family here. On top of that, I get to play close to home so that my family can come see me play.”

As a first-time starter, she said, her teammates made sure she felt comfortable. That support, she said, made all the difference.

“I made a few mistakes, a few dumb plays,” she said. “But they all went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and feel like a part of the team, no matter what.”

Scoring the game-winning goal against a ranked team helps.

“Yes, it does,” she said.