The ASU soccer team has hit a point in the season where it is likely to face some tough opponents in the coming weeks.
But the Sun Devils aren't stressing too much with junior forward Patrice Feulner on their side.
Feulner earned four letters and was the captain of her team in her senior season at St. Charles (Ill.) High School. During an impressive career, Feulner helped guide St. Charles to four state championships by leading the team in scoring for three straight years. And to top it off, she scored the game-winning goal in the state finals as a senior.
Luckily for ASU head coach Ray Leone, all that effort and pure talent found its way to Tempe.
"I wanted to play year round, outside," Feulner said. "I saw a lot of potential in the new program. It was only four years old when I came. I felt they had accomplished so much in four years already."
Even though Feulner is only a junior, she is well on her way to posting outstanding career numbers. She ranks second in career goals (23) and has 11 career assists, three out of sixth place all-time.
Feulner also is working her way up the career points list. She is in third place with 57, only seven removed from second place. Feulner also is tied for third place in game-winning goals with five.
But Feulner doesn't let all her accomplishments go to her head.
"I don't know where I am in the records," she said. "I'm not really concerned with it."
Feulner has strayed from the traditional forward position and is not playing up front as much as she did last season. Despite adjusting to a new place on the field, Feulner has shown maturation. She is impressed with the state of ASU's soccer program.
"It's more than I expected," Feulner said. "(Head coach) Ray (Leone) has taught me a ton about leadership."
Leone said Feulner's presence is invaluable to the Sun Devils.
"She's a great leader on and off the field," he said. "She has a calming influence on the team."
Feulner started all 19 games in 2001, finishing with a team-leading 11 goals, four game-winning goals and 25 points. She netted game winners to help lead ASU to wins in three of its first four games. In addition to receiving honorable mention All-Pac-10 honors, Feulner was a first-team All-Pac-10 academic selection.
Feulner had just as much success in her freshman year, as she made 20 starts. She finished second on the team in points (32) and goals (12) and tied for the team-high in assists (8).
Feulner expects this weekend's games to help the Sun Devils find out exactly were they stand this season.
"It's a great opportunity for us to find out where we're at," she said.
Reach the reporter at katie.crane@asu.edu.
