2008 Woodie Awards
Williams takes charge for soccer team
Denise Bargiachi
Issue date: 8/27/08 Section: Sports
On the first couple of days of class, there will inevitably be the usual "Help a Hog" tables set up in strategic locations along campus to help newcomers find their way.
Freshman are not only faced with the challenge of finding their way around campus, but also the new everyday responsibilities they had previously pawned off on other family members.
Britini Williams can be a beacon of hope for all the freshman wandering aimlessly across campus in the following days, weeks and for some, even months.
Williams' challenges were many upon arriving in Arkansas, leaving sunny California for "a change."
Not only was she over a thousand miles from home, she was also the starting goalkeeper for the Arkansas soccer team.
Williams started 20 games, more than any other women's soccer freshman in school history. Only one other goalkeeper has started more games in a single season, but no other Razorback (freshman, sophomore, junior or senior) has started more Southeastern Conference games in a single season than Williams.
Williams also played more minutes and faced more shots than any other freshman in team history.
While many may not be able to handle such pressure and responsibility as a freshman, Williams said she persevered and dealt with the struggles.
"At first it is almost overwhelming…but you get used to it," Williams said. "It went pretty well."
And well it went.
She had six shutouts (more than any other freshman in history), and tied one other freshman goalkeeper for the most season wins. She was named "Freshman of the Week" by the Southeastern Conference for her performances in games against Louisiana Tech and Centenary, and was honored as "Lady'Back of the Match" for her performance against the Florida Gators.
While injuries plagued the team, Williams continued to perform well.
"[The injuries] added more pressure…but it was all right," Williams said. "We had a lot of good players."
Freshman are not only faced with the challenge of finding their way around campus, but also the new everyday responsibilities they had previously pawned off on other family members.
Britini Williams can be a beacon of hope for all the freshman wandering aimlessly across campus in the following days, weeks and for some, even months.
Williams' challenges were many upon arriving in Arkansas, leaving sunny California for "a change."
Not only was she over a thousand miles from home, she was also the starting goalkeeper for the Arkansas soccer team.
Williams started 20 games, more than any other women's soccer freshman in school history. Only one other goalkeeper has started more games in a single season, but no other Razorback (freshman, sophomore, junior or senior) has started more Southeastern Conference games in a single season than Williams.
Williams also played more minutes and faced more shots than any other freshman in team history.
While many may not be able to handle such pressure and responsibility as a freshman, Williams said she persevered and dealt with the struggles.
"At first it is almost overwhelming…but you get used to it," Williams said. "It went pretty well."
And well it went.
She had six shutouts (more than any other freshman in history), and tied one other freshman goalkeeper for the most season wins. She was named "Freshman of the Week" by the Southeastern Conference for her performances in games against Louisiana Tech and Centenary, and was honored as "Lady'Back of the Match" for her performance against the Florida Gators.
While injuries plagued the team, Williams continued to perform well.
"[The injuries] added more pressure…but it was all right," Williams said. "We had a lot of good players."
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