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One for the Memories
August 19, 2010 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 19, 2010
By Ira Green for UofLsports.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Memories that people carry with them throughout life often come from many different places. Some people remember their first date, their first car, but for others, some of their best memories stem from sports.
University of Louisville women's soccer player Caitlin Rehder, now entering her senior campaign, has racked up countless memories leading up to and during her Cardinal career. While it might take someone years to figure out what they're good at or a dream they want to achieve, Rehder learned early where her niche was in life.
"I've played soccer since I was four, and I've always enjoyed it and loved the game," Rehder says. "Coming into high school, it got more competitive. I was playing for a club team, Eclipse, which is a high level team in Illinois. It was more of a push to keep playing and that's when I stopped playing high school soccer."
What many people don't know about the Illinois native is that she actually was influenced to change course from playing soccer at the collegiate level during her high school days.
"My high school coach wanted me to pursue a basketball career," Rehder recalls, "but I kept telling him, `No, I'm playing soccer.' I was going to college showcase tournaments, and I just kept pushing basketball to the side because I know what I wanted to do with soccer. He was disappointed, but I think in the long run he's still proud of me."
Fortunately, Rehder elected to continue her successful high school soccer career - one that included 59 goals in just two seasons - at the collegiate level.
Unlike many fairy tale stories, Rehder didn't achieve instant success as a freshman due to an injury she sustained, limiting her to action in just 11 matches. Nevertheless, she still managed to rack up four points (one goal and two assists) in her rookie year. Her lone score came at a pivotal moment, as she helped the Cardinals notch a 1-0 overtime victory over Georgetown, helping Louisville clinch second place in the league standings and home field advantage for the BIG EAST Championship quarterfinals.
Rehder continued the momentum into her sophomore campaign and throughout the course of the year. Not only did she start each of the team's 19 contests, but she also ranked first on the team in assists (5) and found the back of the net on three different occasions, one of which came as a game-winner.
"I definitely have to say the fact that I'm healthy," Rehder explains as the reason for her sophomore success. "My freshman year, I felt like I could compete, but being injured made it a struggle. As a sophomore, being a healthy Division I soccer player was phenomenal."
While admitting her junior season didn't live up to her expectations, individually or collectively, Rehder was quick to point toward the future and the onset of what she hopes will be a brighter season in 2010. Rehder, however, did say that the team took away valuable lessons from the 2009 season.
"After the year was over, our team went into reconstruction mode," Rehder remarked. "We started boot camps and did other things to try to get the team back together for what could be an NCAA Tournament team. I want to say we went to hell and back because, with Teena Murray and the staff that we have, it was a struggle. In the end, though, I know it's going to pay off."
Heading into this season, which starts on Friday, Aug. 20, at home against Eastern Kentucky, Louisville boasts nine of its starters from a season ago and eight newcomers - all true freshmen. Although it's often difficult to for freshmen to come in and immediately affect a team, the five-foot-eight-inch forward seemed confident and upbeat about the incoming class.
 | To know I can play soccer and graduate with a degree in something I want to do is something the University of Louisville and the coaches make sure happens. They're a big part of my life. |
"The whole freshman class has already started to make an impact on this team. I know of three that are starting, but a couple more are always getting in. Jordan Pawlik did an amazing job against Tennessee and Dayton. Christine Exeter played really well against Dayton and is a huge player up top. Rachel Melhado started playing in the back with a senior next to her, and she's doing amazing back there. I can't wait to see what else they can do."
While thinking about her past three years and reflecting on the relationships she's built and the memories she's enjoyed, it looked as though Rehder was reliving each day since she stepped foot on campus back in 2007. Although the average student might have more free time to enjoy, Rehder knows she was able to enjoy the best of both worlds - one as a student and another as an athlete.
"The relationships I even started off with when I was being recruited were impressive," Rehder comments. "The coaches made sure we had contact with them. They made sure that when we came in that we knew what we were going to be doing.
"When I got here, I think it got even better. The coaches are great role models and have always been there when anyone went through anything. Now, I'm in dental school, and my schedule isn't easy, but they're very helpful. To know I can play soccer and graduate with a degree in something I want to do is something the University of Louisville and the coaches make sure happens. They're a big part of my life."
When asked what her best or most favorite memory is during her time at Louisville, Rehder struggled to come up with an answer. When she did bring up memorable moments, the majority of them related to soccer.
Staying consistent with that theme, Rehder is certain of one thing as she and the Cardinals embark on the 2010 season - she wants to make this year a memorable one.
