By LAURA BORRELLI
Web Editor
Ciera Lundy is a new transfer student athlete excited to be apart of the amazing women’s soccer team offered at Saint Rose. Lundy traveled far to experience soccer at the collegiate level as an international student from Canada.
Lundy transferred from Erie Community College in Buffalo, NY. Laurie Gutheil, the women’s soccer coach reached out to Lundy about the team at Saint Rose. From the first contact they had Lundy knew that Saint Rose was a perfect fit for her.
Lundy has been playing soccer since she was 8 years old. Ever since she was little she was a gymnast and really enjoyed being active.
“When I was out of season for gymnastics I wanted to try something new to keep active, and it just happened to be soccer,” said Lundy.
Lundy’s first summer playing soccer, she started on a House League Team. By the end of that same summer she was recruited for an All Star Team. Over time, with more practice, she continued to become better at the sport and she fell in love.
With her newfound passion and skills in soccer, Lundy and to decide whether to stick with gymnastics or soccer. She was roughly committing 25 hours a week just for gymnastics and she knew she needed to make a commitment to one sport. It was a hard choice, but her decision was to stick with soccer.
“It was weird and surprising that I was better than I thought I would be at soccer,” said Lundy. “Over time my passion for soccer grew.” Soccer was a way for Lundy to have better and more opportunities, like coming to the United States and getting a really good education.
Lundy is a biology major at Saint Rose. “I like the teachers, classes, and smaller atmosphere Saint Rose has to offer,” said Lundy.
Lundy expresses that Albany is a very different place, especially with all of the one-way streets.
“Albany is an older town and looks different,” said Lundy. She is excited to be in a new environment and is not upset about being far from home. “The team is a good mix of girls, and there are a lot of other international girls to relate with,” said Lundy.
Nina Predanic and Morgan Burchhardt both captains of the women’s soccer team are thrilled Lundy is a new member of the team and excited for the upcoming season. “Not only she is older and stronger than incoming players who are freshmen, she also has two years of experience of playing collegiate soccer. That is a big plus because she already knows how hard we have to play,” said Predanic.
Predanic said Lundy is a great addition to the middle of the field.
“She is a good header and having her on the team is another offensive and defensive strength we were lacking last year,” said Predanic.
Lundy is very fearless and is extremely determined to win, according to Burchhardt. She adapts very quickly and is ready for anything that comes her way.
“Ciera is fearless when it comes to her playing style, she never gives up defending and is dangerous attacking,” said Burchhardt. “Her tenacious energy is contagious throughout the pitch during games as well as practice.”
Sanna Rein, another member of the women’s soccer team is excited to have Lundy as a teammate. “International players bring different kinds of playing styles and personalities with them, which helps the team to get better,” said Rein. “I’m happy to have her by my side on the field and outside it.”
It is important for Gutheil to create a diverse team with the most talent, and look beyond our country. “It is enriching for our players to learn from a multicultural team environment,” said Gutheil. The soccer team has many international athletes, including Finland, Serbia, Bermuda, Germany, and many other places around the world.
Gutheil has been a coach for 24 years at Saint Rose and has many relationships with coaches, is connected to specific countries, and is happy to utilize all opportunities to recruit the highest level of talent.
“Lundy plays a significant role in our program and is very motivated and goal oriented.” Gutheil said. “The new players this year strengthen the team with a solid veteran core.”
Lundy has already had a goal, and Coach Gutheil is excited for a good upcoming season. The team has four wins so far, and one tie out of five games. They all understand the commitment and hard work that as to go in for the results they want to see. Lundy works extremely hard on the Saint Rose Women’s Soccer Team and she is thrilled Saint Rose is her new home away from home.
