After a wildly successful season in which the Sacramento State women’s soccer team finished the season 8-8-3 it was time to say goodbye to some important senior players.

Some may have wondered if this loss would deal a crushing blow to this team’s chances, but if the early returns are any indication, things are going to be just fine.

Enter freshmen goalie Mandy Trojan, midfielder turned defender Katie Rorabaugh, midfielder Beverly Goebel and forward Kim Kemper. These four anchor a freshman class that has already made its mark on the team.

Everybody on the team likes the new freshman class. It may sound strange for a group of grizzled vets to welcome a group of “fresh meat,” but try to forgive them for not acting out a scene from Dazed and Confused.

Trojan made her first career start in goal against Saint Mary’s on Aug. 29 where she made four saves and recorded a shutout in Sac State’s dazzling 1-0 victory in double overtime. Rorabaugh has been terrorizing opposing forwards on the back line with stellar defense, stealing the ball seemingly at will. Goebel has played well in the midfield in her time and Kemper has created numerous scoring opportunities, coming within inches of two goals in the first two games, both of which were ultimately unsuccessful.

According to the new crop it was the veterans who made such a successful start possible. “When we got here, everybody accepted us right away,” Trojan said. “We didn’t feel any pressure because everyone was so easy to talk to.” Said Rorabaugh: “We jelled almost instantly with the older players.”

The relationship between young and, well, still young but slightly older is translating off the field as well. “The upperclassmen have been so supportive of them,” head coach Katie Poynter said. “They talked to the incoming freshmen months before they got here. They act like family.”

And like family there is, at times, foolishness. While the team insists that the relationship between vet and rook is great, there still remain the rites of passage. It is their responsibility to carry the equipment to and from practices as well as pumping up the balls. “We understand how it goes,” Trojan said. “We just have to do it.”

When the freshmen met each other for the first time they knew they had a special group. “It seemed like we already knew each other. Like we were already part of a team,” Rorabaugh said.They shared in the experience of nerves leading up to their first game as well. “At first I was nervous, but when I heard the music playing and the people cheering it made me just want to get out there and play,” Goebel said. According to Kemper, “I was nervous and excited at the same time.”

As far as living up to the excellence of departed seniors like Mandi Siller, Linda Sanchez and Marissa Condren, now an assistant coach for the team, the young guns are unfazed. “All we can do is play our best,” Goebel said.

Despite their confidence there are some very real and noticeable differences between high school and college play for the freshmen. “It’s strange going from being the oldest in high school to immediately being the youngest,” Kemper said. Added Goebel, “It’s a lot faster and more physical.”The most glowing and meaningful endorsement of the new blood so far came directly from the coaching staff. “If we had a group like this every year we would be stoked,” Poynter said. Assistant coach Randy Dedini added, “They have done everything we have asked.

So far their hard work has paid off, giving the coaches some things to think about regarding the starting lineup. As of right now the veterans are having to compete with these freshmen for the jobs they might have assumed would be theirs. Poynter loves the position battles taking place. “It’s such a luxury to have so many good players,” she said.

The ultimate goal for the freshmen is to lend a hand in a conference title run in the Big Sky. Until then they will have to continue impressing coaches, getting along with teammates and, of course, carrying the bags.

The team’s next match is Friday against Idaho.

Benn Hodapp can be reached at [email protected]