Sophomore midfielder Sara West’s numbers may not jump off the stat sheet, but her leadership on the field has certainly caught the eye of the Lady Colonels Head Soccer Coach Cindy Piper. “Sara West is crucial to our team,” Piper says. “She is very vocal on the field and keeps us organized defensively. Her fitness level is the best it’s ever been.”

Coming out of Cedar Hill High School in Cedar Hill, Texas, West was a three-sport star, excelling in track, cross-country and soccer and earning the award for 2005 Female Athlete of the Year at her high school.

Upon entering college, West says she fell in love with soccer and decided to stick to that.

“I have always put soccer first,” West says. “Even in high school I had a great passion for soccer.”

After finishing high school, West received a recruiting call from Piper to come tour Nicholls. Even though she had no idea where Nicholls or Thibodaux was, she decided to come down anyway. Once she arrived on campus, she fell in love with the school, she says.

“I loved the small college atmosphere,” West says. “I know that if I had gone to a bigger school, I probably would have just been a number. Over here it’s not like that.”

For West, the biggest adjustment was being far from home and not being able to have her parents at all of her games.

“Last year it was really hard for me because it was my first time away from home,” West says. “My parents have been supportive of me, and they come to as many games as they can, even though they can’t make every game.”

This season, however, has been a little easier for West to adjust because she says she believes this year’s team is more skilled and determined compared to last years.

“We’ve been more competitive, so it takes my mind off home,” West says. “It’s just been so different and so much easier for me. We know we can win and compete this year.”

One thing helping her adapt to being away has been her relationships with her fellow teammates.

“We are really close, always helping each other out,” West says. “I guess it’s almost like a family.”

Even though she is only in her second season, West has already made it a point to be a more vocal leader on and off the field.

“Her leadership skills have greatly improved since last year,” Piper says. “I think all of my players are capable of making plays. (Senior defender Ashley) Bock and (senior midfielder Tori) Priddy are key players for us, and most teams zero in on them, so Sara West will be able to help create chances for us.”

Not only has her leadership improved, her numbers have improved as well.

In her freshman season, West finished the year with two assists and two points but no goals scored on 11 shots. She finished with a total of two overall points. A goal is worth two points, while an assist is worth one.

This season West already has two goals scored and has a total of five overall points. She ranks third on the Lady Colonels in assists (1), while she is third in goals and fourth in points.

West says she knows she is not the strongest player but says she believes she brings leadership.

“I feel I bring a lot of communication to the team,” West says. “I may not be the strongest player, but I help direct people verbally and help lead in my direction.