Veteran Larson is Key Defender For Falcons

By Cristy Brusoe
UWRF Sports Information

UW-River Falls senior Jessi Larson is going on her fourth year as a defensive star for the Falcon soccer team.

Larson, a three-year letter winner, is one of the team’s captains this season. According to Falcon Head Coach Sean McKuras, “Jessi scored a goal in her very first game her freshman year and has not slowed down since then.”

Originally from Winona Minn., Larson started playing soccer in third grade. Little did she know that it would turn out to be a sport she would learn to love and play throughout college. “I first enjoyed playing because it was something fun to do with all my friends, but as I got older I really learned to appreciate the game,” Larson said.

Part of Larson’s love of soccer came from playing with her sister throughout elementary, middle and high school. Larson has one sister younger who is a 20 years old. The competition between the sisters has always been a motivator for Jessi. The two have even played against each other collegiately; Larson’s sister, Chelsi, plays soccer for Saint Benedict.

In 2007, the Falcon soccer team traveled to Sweden, Denmark and Iceland to play. Larson recalled the experience, “a few national coaches and players from Sweden helped out with some of our practices which allowed us to experience a true respect and knowledge for the game.”

Larson plans to graduate this year, majoring in elementary education with a minor in Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages. She hopes that in her future career she will be able to help other people. Larson also has hopes her career path will allow her to travel to other parts of the world and experience a variety of different cultures. Although this is her last year playing soccer for the Falcons, Larson hopes to continue playing a women’s league.

When asked about this year’s team and her predictions, Larson believes, “This year’s team has a lot of promise and potential. With a very talented group of freshmen and a solid group of returners, this team has high expectations to do very well this season. With hard work, heart and solid teamwork, I think we are definite contenders in topping the WIAC.”

McKuras believes Jessi is a great player and person, on and off the field. “She has started every game for the Falcons during her four year career here. She brings stability to our defense and always gives us all she has to offer,” McKuras said.

2009 Falcon Statistics
2009 Falcon Schedule

Jessi Larson

Jessi Larson moves past a Platteville
opponent in a 2007 game at Ramer Field.