Leading the way

Junior Kortney Lewis assumes important role on young team

By Drew Mattos

After this past offseason transition to new coach Steve Springthorpe and his staff, one thing has stayed constant for the women’s soccer program: the leadership and dedication of junior forward Kortney Lewis.

At forward last season, Lewis led Fresno State in goals (9), points (21), shots (43) and shots on goal (27), while earning a second team All-Western Athletic Conference selection.

Through six games this season, Lewis is second on the team with two goals and is tied for the team lead with two assists.

Springthorpe said he has been very pleased this season with Lewis’ willingness to help the team in any way possible. Early in the season, the Bulldogs were hit with several injuries.

“Kortney has done everything that we have asked her to do,” Springthorpe said. “She goes out everyday and works hard. She has played some center midfielder and she has played some outside midfielder as well as forward, she has been extremely willing to do whatever it is for the team to get better.”

When Lewis was asked about the position changes, she said, she “would much rather play forward because I love scoring, but if I have to play defense, I’ll play it; whatever helps the team win.”

With 10 freshmen on the team this year, Lewis has had to communicate to them what it takes to compete at the college level. Lewis leads by example in her aggressive and hustling style of play but is not afraid to tell a player when she needs to pick it up by being a more vocal leader at practice and during games.

“I believe my [leadership] role is very important to the freshmen,” Lewis said. “They come straight from high school and are competing against 20-year-olds, and we’ve put a lot of pressure on them early this season when we had players out with injury and they needed to step up in game situations.”

On the field, Lewis is a very focused and serious player, but off the field, she and the rest of the team have quite a sense of humor. “[Lewis] definitely is a leader on the field, but off the field she can be a jokester,” said junior defender Barbara Davis.

“Off the field we’re always joking around,” Lewis said. “When we’re on the bus, someone is always joking or dancing around.”

Lewis, from Visalia, says she feels some added pressure not only to play well, but to be a good example off the field as well. However, she enjoys the support from friends and family at home and especially from her parents, Danny and Rosemarie.

“I feel a lot of pressure because I know many people read the papers and keep track of what I do and come to watch the games,” Lewis said. “But it’s a good feeling at the same time because I know I have the support (from the valley).”

After her college career is over, Lewis said she would like to continue with the sport she has played for so long.

“Soccer has been a focal point in my life and I would like to keep playing,” Lewis said.

In the offseason Lewis played for the Sacramento Storm, a semi-pro team. She has played with some former professional and national players such as Sissi from Brazil and Laurie Fair.

Lewis said the goal for the Bulldogs this season is to get into, and win, the WAC tournament and get a berth to the NCAA tournament. So far this season Fresno State is 2-3-1, winning its last two games against Sacramento State and New Mexico. Tonight the Bulldogs face the University of Pacific at 7 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.