May 12, 2004
By Chris Graziano, Villanova Media Relations
The Beach Boys probably were not referring to collegiate softball when they sang, "I wish they all could be California girls." But chances are, Villanova head coach Maria DiBernardi would agree with them.
That is because at this weekend's Big East Conference Tournament, the Villanova softball seniors could be suiting up for the last time in blue and white, and looking back, they have provided the athletic department and the university with numerous highlights between the lines and plenty to be proud of off the field.
The four California girls are Andrea Brown (Las Flores), Robin Flier (Lafayette), Lisa Krueger (Mission Viejo) and Ricci Lugo (San Clemente), and the fifth senior is Kristen Strait, who transferred to Villanova from Shasta College, which is located in Northern California.
The group definitely takes pride in being from the Golden State, because high schools in California have a reputation for producing some of the nation's best talents. But at the same time, they are appreciative of their experiences on the east coast.
"This has really been a good experience," said Strait, who will remain at Villanova for two more years to finish up the nursing program, despite having no softball eligibility left. "It opened us up to so much more and showed us the differences from California. I wanted to see what it was like on the east coast, because you can always go back west."
Similar to other outdoor sports, especially baseball, it is tough for northeast programs to compete with schools in California, Texas or Florida because in warmer climates, softball becomes a year-round sport, often times with better facilities. In that regard, Villanova is lucky to have these players.
There is no doubt that stark contrasts exist between Pennsylvania and the girls' native California, as Brown, who will be working for a mortgage lending company in Arizona after graduation, was quick to point out.
"The people are different out here...they are more fast-paced and stressed out."
And none of the five hid their contempt for the weather in the northeast. But nevertheless, they persevered, each contributing in their own way.
Lugo, a second baseman, will no doubt be remembered as one of the best to ever wear a Villanova uniform. She is one RBI shy of becoming the second player in history to have 200 hits, 100 runs batted in and 100 runs scored. Her 200th hit came a few weeks ago against Boston College, helping the Wildcats to an extra inning victory. She is sixth all-time in hits, second in home runs, third in doubles, fifth in RBI's and fourth in runs scored, and is also the Villanova record holder for home runs in a season with 11 in 2002. Lugo seems to save her best for Big East play, as she is currently tied for ninth with a .377 batting average in conference games.
Flier, along with Lugo, is planning to attend graduate school next year. However, VU's leftfielder also said that if the opportunity to play professionally arose, she would go for it.
Considering her numbers at Villanova, it is hard to believe that someone would not give her a chance. Flier will go down as one of the greatest slappers in Villanova history, and she currently leads this year's team with a .366 average, 183 at-bats, 67 hits and one triple. On the Villanova career records list, she is third all-time in hits, fourth in runs scored and fourth in stolen bases with 45. She is one of six Wildcats in history to have 200 hits and 100 runs scored in a career. Her 200th hit came this year against Rutgers, when she tied a school record with four hits in a single game. Perhaps most impressive is the fact that going into the Big East Tournament, Flier has appeared in 122 consecutive games, tops on the club.
Krueger will actually be returning next year after completing a medical red shirt. She suffered an injury during the first month of the season, but put up impressive numbers during her first three full seasons on the Main Line. She has compiled a .317 average with 76 runs scored, 75 runs batted in, 20 doubles, two triples and six home runs. She was also 15-for-17 in stolen bases, and did not commit an error during her entire sophomore and junior seasons.
Strait has shown a knack for getting the big hit, including a game-winning two-run home run this season to beat Connecticut, and a crucial two-RBI single to help Villanova pull out a win at Seton Hall. In each of her three years, she has seen her playing time increase, whether it be at third base, first base or as the designated player.
Brown has been a key reserve throughout her four years with the Wildcats, providing some much-needed speed off the bench. She has 16 runs scored, four hits, two runs batted in, one walk and one stolen base in 75 career games. She has also been a leader in the classroom, most recently inducted into the Communication Honor Society.
Flier, Lugo and Strait are this year's captains, and Lugo has been a weekly honoree this season by both the Big East and the ECAC. Her, Flier and Krueger have all earned conference recognition at some point during their careers. As a group, they own an overall record of 153-64-1 (.705), with four trips to the conference tournament.
With those resumes, it's no wonder that DiBernardi, who actively recruits California, has seven other players from the West coast on the current roster, including three from California, one from Oregon, one from Washington, one from Nevada and one from Arizona.
Also, included in next year's recruiting class are two from California, one from Oregon and one from Nevada.
While winding down their own respective high school careers, Brown, Flier, Krueger and Lugo picked Villanova over a short list of alternative choices.
"Back in California, Villanova is seen as a basketball school," said Flier, but Lugo and Brown quickly pointed out the university's other reputation.
"Academically, adults think of Villanova in such high prestige," said Lugo.
"Yeah, when you tell people you go here, they are like, 'Oh, you go to Villanova...'," added Brown.
Occasionally, they run into former high school teammates and opponents on squads such as Notre Dame and Providence.
The five have stuck together, especially during the rough transition to college life in the beginning. And each one spoke of how much they will miss their time at Villanova, especially the road trips and camaraderie with teammates.
"It was good that we were all in the same boat, because it made it easy to adjust," said Flier.
"We've all shared similar experiences," added Lugo.
Said Strait, "Playing for a team in college is like having instant friends."
Anyone who knows California understands the rivalry between Northern California and Southern California, and while this group remains close here in Philadelphia, the rivalry back home is recognized.
"The Southern California teams will never come up to play us, but when we would go down there, we were excited to play those teams because they were the types of teams that would advance to nationals," said Flier, a Northern California girl through and through. She seemed a little bitter that Lugo, one of Southern California's representatives, was not as excited about the rivalry.
"It was a big deal when we won," added Flier.
But for now the focus on winning is on the conference tournament, in which the Wildcats are the No. 3 seed and will take on No. 2 Seton Hall in the opening game on Thursday, May 13 at 5:00 p.m. in Syracuse, N.Y.
Last year the NCAA Tournament eluded 'Nova yet again, as the 'Cats lost an extra inning title game to Notre Dame and then were denied an invitation to regionals.
"This year we have nothing to lose, and we have experience because everyone on the team except for the freshmen has been there," explained Flier.
"We would like to beat Notre Dame," said Krueger.
Added Strait, "We ended the season on a good note at Seton Hall, and going into the tournament we have nothing else to worry about."
It's the middle of May in upstate New York. Hopefully, for once, weather is something that these California girls will not have to worry about. But maybe packing for the NCAA Tournament will.
