Betsy Straub

By Kara Walser
UWRF Sports Information

Betsy Straub, a sophomore at UW-River Falls, plays the right defender position for the Falcon soccer team.

Straub, who considers being named Co-Rookie of the Year as a freshman her greatest achievement, is loved by her teammates and coach.

"Everyone likes Betsy," says Coach Sean McKuras.

Straub feels the same way about her teammates. "I love all the girls," says Straub. "Without one of the girls, the game wouldn't work. And I know I can rely on each and every one of them. That's what makes the game so neat."

As a freshman, played in 19 games and started six. She finished with two goals and six points, and was named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll.  

She puts just as much effort into her soccer game as she does her academics.

Straub is majoring in biomedical sciences and hopes to be a physical therapist for sports rehabilitation. She someday hopes to run her own practice. "Betsy is a great student," says McKuras. "Academics come first to her."

Straub started playing soccer in fourth grade, moving on to a traveling soccer team in eighth grade. "I started because a bunch of my friends and I, including my younger sister, decided to start playing," she says. "I've loved the game ever since."

McKuras believes Straub's decision-making skills have improved the most over her career. He explains that Straub has composure during the game which makes her a better athlete.

Straub says, "I feel like I know more about the game in general because my coaches here are so knowledgeable and teach the game so well."

She believes that playing on a collegiate team is much more competitive compared to the high school level. "The game is faster, the girls are stronger and more determined, and overall, are more skilled," she says.

She explains that her brother, a marine who has been to Iraq twice, is her biggest inspiration because he works for everything he has and doesn't let things affect his life in a negative way. "He is still the same brother I have always known," she says.