Issue date: 10/8/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Vanessa Acevedo Defender, Kara Taylor, a Senior at CSUS. [Click to enlarge]

Kara Taylor touched a soccer ball for the first time when she was 3 years old.

"My older brothers played soccer," Taylor said. "And I copied whatever they did."

Eighteen years later, Taylor now stars as a senior defender for the Sacramento State women's soccer team. She has earned awards such as the Big Sky Co-Defensive MVP and has recently been named the Big Sky defensive player of the week. Taylor admits one important thing has guided to her throughout her soccer success.

Taylor realized she had a passion for the game when she was in fifth grade.

She learned the game for her family. Her first coach was her father. She also developed skills under her mother and even her brother.

"My older sister played soccer in high school," Taylor said. "And I loved the coach there."

Taylor followed the path of her sister and played for the same high school and coach at North Eugene High School in Euguene, Ore. Taylor excelled in high school competition and breaking school records, including scoring five goals in one game.

Taylor also played club soccer with Oregon United on the side. As captain, Taylor guided her club team to winning the 2004 State Cup along with other high-profile tournaments.

After excelling in high school and club soccer, Taylor ventured to Sac State for her collegiate career. She immediately made her mark as a freshman starting all 19 games in her rookie campaign and earning the Big Sky Co-Defensive MVP.

Earning Big Sky Co-Defensive MVP was one of Taylor's favorite accomplishments.

"I was competely surprised," Taylor said. "My teammate called to congratulate me, and I had no idea. Then she told me to check on the website."

During her sophomore and junior years, Taylor continued starting every match of the season and earned Big Sky All Conference and First Team honors. She also helped Sac State win the Big Sky Tournament last year.

She has also developed into a team leader and has earned the respect of her teammates.

"She is a very smart player and we rely on her a lot as a team," said teammate and Hornet forward Kirsten Karl. "And if I have any problems, I can ask her. She is very kind."

Taylor has earned the respect of the coaching staff as well.

"I cannot say enough about Kara Taylor," head coach Randy Dedini said.

"She is the most consistent player and just a rock in the backline," Dedini said. "In the past four years, I think we have had one of the strongest backlines in the conference because of her."

Over the years of playing for Sac State, Taylor has developed specific routines for every game.

"First, I have to get electrical tape every game from Kim Kemper," Taylor said. "And before the starting whistle of each game, I do 3 high knees, 3 butt kicks, and then sprint to the PK spot and touch it with my right foot."

As Taylor's last and final season for Sac State winds down, Taylor has set both soccer and personal goals for the future.

"I really want to continue playing," Taylor said. Taylor would enjoy playing in the new women's professional soccer league in America and eventually coach as well. As a health science major, Taylor would also like to do an accelerated nursing program and get experience working in hospitals.

"I would love to be involved in pediatrics," Taylor said.

Taylor will leave with many fond memories of her time spent with the Sac State women's soccer program.

"The program formed me into a better person and player," Taylor said. "It has made me really respect and value hard work."

The program has also given Taylor a lot off of the pitch.

"It taught me a lot about life and I learned a lot about myself," Taylor said. "From teammates to coaches, I have made lifelong friendships."

Kara Taylor will never forget her favorite memory of her Sac State career either. "Winning the Big Sky Championship, it was crazy," Taylor said. "We won that game 3-0 in the final."

Coach Dedini knows how important a player like Kara Taylor is to the program.

"She has meant so much to this program and the team," Dedini said. "She is a great role model, especially for the younger players coming through."

Whether it's her competitive edge on the field to her caring nature as the friend known as "Catwoman" by her teammates, Dedini believes the program will miss a student-athlete like Taylor.

Kara Taylor has built a soccer legacy in her name since the day she touched her first soccer ball at age three. Reflecting back on the past 18 years, Taylor knows one thing.

"I want to be remembered as a class, a team," Taylor said. "The class that changed Sac State women's soccer."

Ronnie Nurss can be reached at rnurss@statehornet.com.

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