Tucson, Ariz. - Senior Laura Pimienta was part of the Arizona Wildcats before she knew that Tony Amato would be her new coach. She joined the squad in 2013, just before Arizona Soccer made a coaching change.
"I was nervous about the whole process," said Pimienta. "I was nervous about college and everything that came with it. [Having a new coach] made me more nervous. Tony (Amato) and Paul (Nagy) called me and we talked. I came in and I didn't have a role and I didn't know the coaches, which is something I had never experienced before. I remember we started with strength and conditioning and I thought, 'I could do this.' Spring season of freshman year I crawled out of my shell and started doing a lot better."
And now look at her. Pimienta started 20 of the Wildcats matches in 2015, logging the second-most minutes on the team in her position at left back.
"It's been a whole turnaround," said Pimienta. "I worked hard since the beginning and then I got my break when the former left back graduated. They tried me there and that was it. I earned my spot. I earned my colors."
Beyond the pitch, Pimienta has also been named part of Tony Amato's leadership group, composed of seniors and other key components of the Wildcats' team.
"It's different being in the leadership group. The girls come to me with their concerns and we communicate that to Tony. It's a lot more involved and it's very important to me."
She's planning to bring her all to the leadership group and also bring the heat on the pitch. She's prepared for this next season of play and looking forward to her teammates' efforts.
"I'm excited to see how good the team can be because we're growing still. I want to see how far we can get into the tournament."
Home games will be a big part of that performance. Arizona takes on a tough opponent in Oklahoma this weekend and the team wants the experience at Mulcahy to be fired up.
"Come out to every game! I love when the fans are there and Friday nights are a different feel. When I make a play I'll hear. 'Go Laura!' or something from the stands. It's a different feeling when a lot of people are there. It's a great feeling."
Now it's your turn to Experience It Yourself at Arizona's home matches this season. You can pick up tickets at ArizonaWildcats.com or purchase tickets at the door.
The Arizona Wildcats continue their regular season this weekend in Tucson, Ariz. when they host Oklahoma on Friday at 7 p.m. MST.
FOLLOW SOCCER ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Arizona women's soccer by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/ArizonaWSocccer), Twitter (@ArizonaWSoccer), Instagram (arizonasoccer), Youtube (Youtube.com/arizonawildcatsoccer) and Vine (Arizona Soccer).
