Gold Rush: This Goalkeeper's a Keeper
9/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 15, 2002
By Jay Reddick
Erin Regan has an All-ACC citation, some 15 career shutouts and every Wake Forest goalkeeping record to her credit. So when her coach, Tony da Luz, says she's off to "her best start ever," opponents should stand up and take notice.
But that's exactly what da Luz said about his fifth-year senior, who won her first two starts of the 2002 campaign. The key to it has been her general fitness. Regan missed the 2000 season with a knee injury and has battled shoulder problems for a while.
"Fitness was a huge priority," da Luz said. "She didn't play much this summer - instead, she backed off and trained. It shows in her quickness and mobility. She knows this is her last go-round and wants to make the most of it."
Regan had a 1.15 goals-against average last season, with 4 1/2 shutouts, so it would seem apparent that she didn't have too much to work on. Regan called it "fine-tuning."
"I didn't play a couple of matches in the spring, but I was always working," Regan said. "I've been getting stronger and quicker."
Of course, Regan hasn't been the only Deacon singled out. Da Luz put the entire team through a grueling spring and preseason that included 6:30 a.m. workouts, among other obstacles.
"We adopted a blue-collar attitude," da Luz said. "We put them through a major challenge in the spring to demand more of everyone physically. So far, it has worked. We've looked better in the second half of every game we've played."
Regan took right to the call for increased work ethic.
"I was surprised with our ability to get through preseason as well as we did," she said. "He wants to make sure we have no reason to regret anything. It was perfect preparation for the season."
That attitude has helped Regan become a leader for the Deacons. As one of three captains, she has learned when it's time to work. She's also found the right time for the lighter moments.
"Erin approaches everything with a super-fresh attitude," da Luz said. "She's always happy and joking, until it's time to get down to business."
After all the hard work, Regan expected to see improvement over last year's 9-9-3 final record. But even she was shocked by what she saw during season-opening victories over Oregon and Oregon State.
"The team just surprised me," Regan said. "I saw a lot of players who are more confident. We've really come together well. With the experience that we've gained and getting older, we understand the little things it takes to help us win."
But Regan also knows that all that good feeling is easily taken away by a few losses. She learned that last year but also thinks the team learned how to deal with it.
"Sometimes, you don't get the bounces," Regan said. "Sometimes, we didn't capitalize on opportunities. The team turned it around and used it in a positive way.
"If we keep doing that, we can do really good things this year."
The 22-year-old Regan also has her goals set on a future in soccer after college. Two former teammates, Stacy Roeck and Sarah Kate Noftsinger, were on the rosters of the WUSA finalists, Washington and Carolina, and she believes she can get there. Don't count her out.
"Based on the feedback I got from her performance at national camp (last spring), I'd say her chances are pretty good," da Luz said. "The coaches I talked to said she was a good keeper, but they had concerns about her fitness level. We've gotten that in order, so there will probably be a lot of WUSA coaches interested."