The 2009 Big Sky Conference (BSC) Defensive Player of the Year was once reluctant to play women's soccer.
In fact, "reluctant" might not quite cut it in describing PSU goalkeeper
Cris Lewis' terror when faced with joining the sport at the age of five.
"Mom signed me up for a team. I was shy and didn't want to go. So, the first day, she dropped me off and I told her 'Mom, I'm not going. I won't like it'," recalled the 21-year-old senior out of John F. Kennedy in Burien, Wash.
She remembered her first practices: "All I wanted to do was leave."
Slowly, she said, "I decided it was fun. But, it was all Mom. It probably pulled me out of my shell... running and laughing like that."
Fast forward to the end of the 2009 BSC season and the end of Lewis' college career - what a difference 16 years can make.
She loves the game so much that she's hoping to continue playing professionally in the US, Europe or Latin America (she has a minor in Spanish) and can't imagine life without the sport.
PSU second year head women's soccer coach
Laura Schott has been encouraging.
"She's good. She's quick, she thinks the game well, has good tactical knowledge and has the physical ability," Schott said. And, she'll need that and more at the next level, which Schott, a former professional player herself, said is "faster, shots are harder, the players are better. It's like the difference between high school and college. Every aspect of the game is another level up."
Assistant Coach
Janine Szpara also speaks highly of Lewis' credentials.
"Cris is very talented. She brings everything to practice and to the pitch. Although she was named BSC most valuable defensive player this year, that award was nice, but it doesn't mean she didn't have the talent prior to this year. You don't get there with just hard work," Szpara said.
Lewis began playing goal at the age of 12. "I just loved the sport so much. I remember telling mom at 12 that I'd be playing college soccer."
And, having made that commitment, she felt she had to deliver. "I mean, she drove me to all the games, bought my cleats and all my equipment, so playing college soccer was a little return on her investment... and, as a bonus, I didn't have to pay for college."
While playing college soccer was a given, ending up at PSU was almost an accident.
An all-state performer as a high school senior and two-time first team all-league selection, Lewis was recruited by all four northwest Pac-10 schools and the University of Washington offered her a spot.
"I grew up watching the Huskies and playing for them had always been my dream. But, they wanted me to replace a back-up goalie who was injured and who would return," Lewis said. She wanted to go somewhere that she could play enough to improve her skills.
Portland State wasn't even on her list. She's just returned from a recruiting trip to Hawaii prior to visiting the PSU campus. She arrived in the Park Blocks on a gorgeous sunny fall day. "It was a little crisp and beautiful. I immediately liked the atmosphere. Then, I talked with the coaches and liked what I saw. Besides, PSU was far enough from home that I could be a little independent, but close enough that I could go home if I wanted," she said.
Goalkeeper coaching the first two years was handled by a couple of players from Portland's professional men's team, the Timbers.
"They were good, but I'd developed some bad habits and it wasn't until Janine came that we, (the goalkeepers), had the continuity to really improve. When she came, yes, I may have had the athletic skills to be a good goalie, but she brought out some things that have made me better," she said.
And, better she was this year... although a second team all-conference honor as a junior and two prior honorable mentions hinted at what her future could be.
This year in Big Sky play, Lewis gave up the fewest goals, recorded the most shutouts and carried the lowest goals against average in the conference. She posted 10 wins, eight shutouts, a school record that included a nine-save shutout against Oregon State and had a 0.96 goals against average. She recorded a 285:50 minute streak in which she did not concede a goal.
She had to think for a while to name highlights during her PSU career and interestingly, didn't mention this year's honor. "It's hard to pick. But winning the Big Sky Championship definitely would be a highlight, then hosting the tournament and having a bus to take fans out to watch us... being able to play soccer with the girls on the team and being coached by Janine... it has been such an opportunity."
Lewis is carrying a 3.6 grade point average in physical education and exercise science and will graduate this spring, with the ultimate goal in mind of (maybe) coaching soccer.
She's coached some summer teams. "Coaching younger kids is fun. They remind you why you play. They don't worry about playing time or the team they're playing against. They just go out there and have fun," she said.
And, fun was what eventually drew
Cris Lewis to soccer and it's what keeps her going.
"I try to always remind myself that it's fun. As long as it's fun, I'll keep playing--although it's hard to remember that sometimes when you're in winter conditioning and can't play outside... then, maybe it's not so fun," she said.
Any regrets? "Well, my experience here has been one of the best. I've really liked it here. I'm sad that it's over and wish I had another four years to play, but I'm excited to see what happens at the next step."
In closing, Schott said "I don't think she's at her best yet. She'll get better. I hope she can play for a number of years."
Not bad, for a shy girl from Burien, Wash., who initially didn't care for the game.
Photo Credit: Steve Brenner
