By Jeremy Tammaro
Staff Writer
All athletes have the same dream — to take their game to the next level.
For senior defender Susan Palmer, her wish is about to be realized.
“When I was younger I always wanted to play college soccer, and I only would dream about playing on the national team, not that it would happen,” Palmer said. “But since the start of WUSA (Women’s United Soccer Association) four years ago, I dreamed about playing with them, and thought that it would be so fun to do so.”
Palmer became the first player in Pepperdine women’s soccer history to be drafted by the WUSA when the San Diego Spirit selected her in the fourth round of this year’s draft.
“I am really excited and nervous at the same time,” Palmer said. “I love the fact that San Diego drafted me. I am a Southern California girl for life, and it is a perfect fan base and atmosphere.”
As the 26th overall pick in the draft, Palmer will join fellow West Coast Conference (WCC) star and 2002 MAC Herman Award (given to the nation’s best collegiate player) winner Aly Wagner, a midfielder from Santa Clara, in San Diego.
Palmer started for her fourth straight year as a defender for the Waves. In her stellar collegiate career, Palmer earned honorable mention All-American, was a two time National Soccer Coaches Association All-West Region selection and a first team All-WCC choice, secured honorable mention All-WCC twice, and was named the Waves’ “Defensive Player of the Year” three times.
This past season, Palmer helped lead the Waves’ to a school-record 0.75 goals-against average, a school best 18-2-2 overall record, the programs first WCC crown and a birth into the “Sweet 16” of the NCAA Tournament.
“Susan getting drafted is just another great compliment to the job our team did this last fall,” Head Coach Tim Ward said. “As I told our girls, ‘Susan happened (her draft) because this program is happening.’ ”
However, just because a player gets drafted does not automatically translate into a successful career with riches and glory, much less a roster spot.
“She is not guaranteed anything,” Ward said. “Susan’s ability to play at that level is not a concern to me, but the physical fitness portion of it is. One of the things that separate these women from the rest is their commitment to their respective fitness levels. You are dealing with world-class athletes.”
Palmer is well aware of the challenges that await her at the next level.
“The hardest thing for me to overcome is the fitness level that professional athletes are accustomed to,” Palmer said. “My skills, strength and soccer ability are what I am least worried about. I just have to go out there and prove to everyone that I can do anything that the rest of the team can do, if not better. I believe that I can play a crucial role in their back (defensive) line.”
Even her former coach knows she’s got the game to stay and play with the big girls.
“Susan, I believe, is a better soccer player than a lot of girls in the league,” Ward said. “She is a natural. She always has been and always will be.”
Palmer is already doing what it takes to allow her body to perform at higher levels than it is accustomed to. She is training every day with both weights and aerobic exercises.
“It is tough,” Palmer admits. “It hurts to work out at a greater level, but it is what I have to do in order to be ready.”
She has received a lot of support and positive reinforcement from her teammates, coaches, family and friends so she knows that it is possible.
“I believe she (Palmer) is excited about her opportunity,” Ward said. “I spoke with one of their (San Diego) coaches and he mentioned that they are a little thin in defense, so if Susan can step it up, she may have a really good shot.”
Not that this is Palmer’s only shot at a future.
“My future goals are to be an impact on the San Diego Spirit team, graduate from Pepperdine, and continue my education further in the future,” Palmer said. “I hope I can achieve all of my goals.”
With the continued hard work that Palmer is used to putting into everything that she does, it seems far-fetched not to expect her future to produce the same results that her life has posted up until now, which has been nothing short of success.
February 13, 2003