Aug. 21, 2009
LAS VEGAS -
Erica Jensen (UNLV Sports Information)
The first headline UNLV senior goalkeeper Alicia Lugo owned in the UNLV archives read "Freshman Goalkeeper Stands Tall in Goal." When the Rebels took conference nemesis BYU into a penalty kick shootout in the semifinals of the 2006 Mountain West Conference tournament, all eyes fell upon the 5'5 freshman keeper, making just her seventh career appearance. No one expected what the undersized inexperienced freshman was about to do. She saved two of BYU's penalty kick attempts leading the Rebels to a convincing 4-1 victory and upsetting the no. 2 overall seed in the tournament. She instantly became a leader and running off of that momentum, Lugo led her team into the championship game where it faced the defending Mountain West champions and host team, the Utah Utes. Again, behind the solid play of their freshman goalkeeper, the Rebels took the Utes to a penalty kick shootout. This time Lugo didn't just deliver an upset. She delivered a championship. For her stellar performance she earned a spot on the all tournament team and also a spot on Soccer America's National Team of the Week. In just a week, Lugo had positioned herself as one of the most dominant goalkeepers in the MWC and hasn't looked back since.
Heading into her senior season Lugo has already etched herself into the UNLV record books. She is second in career goals against average with 0.95; third in career saves with 229, just 52 saves away from taking over the second place spot; she's also second with career shutouts at 19, just a mere seven away from taking over the top spot held by former UNLV great Jenna Huff. In her 2007 sophomore campaign she set single-season records as well, as she holds the second best single- season goals against average with 0.67; and owns the top spot for most shutouts in a single season with 10. Lugo earned a spot on the MWC All- Tournament team her freshman and sophomore years (2006, 2007) and was named second team All MWC as a junior (2008). She has been named the Mountain West Player of the Week along with making a pair of appearances on Soccer Buzz's Team of the Week and Soccer America's Team of the Week.
Lugo has some unfinished business she would like to take care of this season. When asked about her personal goals for the season she didn't hesitate and listed a two. "I want to break the all- time shutout record and I want to go undefeated at home."
She knows that both of those goals are very realistic. In 2007, as a sophomore, Lugo led her fellow Rebels to their first ever undefeated home record as well as setting the single- season shutouts record. She knows what that feat takes and she knows she can do it again. "I take pride in my communication with my backline, I tell them every game, the less shots taken on me the better, no shots equals no goals, and when you have no goals scored on you it makes it hard for your team to lose."
The one thing Lugo said she must do, lead her team to another MWC championship. "This year's team has all of the potential in the world. We have the skills to compete for a championship and as long as we keep moving forward there is no reason why we shouldn't be in the race for it."
Lugo knows how important her leadership is going to be this year. "My teammates look to me to stay composed and calm when we need it the most. Starting with my freshman year, in the Utah shootouts, I wanted to show my team that I will do anything in my power to not let them down, to always give us a chance to play another day."
And that she does, when it comes to putting her team on her shoulders, Lugo usually carries them straight to victory.
Despite all her personal success and previous championships, Lugo is especially excited about this season and this team. Nothing would be sweeter than capping off her record- setting career with another conference championship.
Alicia Lugo and her teammates begin their quest for another MWC championship at home on Friday August 21st when they will take on Loyola Marymount University in the season opener at 7:30 pm.
'Finish the sentence' with Senior Goalkeeper Alicia Lugo
When I'm not on the soccer field you can usually find me… riding around campus on my longboard and listening to music.
My favorite sports to play or watch besides soccer… are surfing competitions and AVP beach volleyball
After college I want to… travel across the country's shoreline.
My dream job would be… Coaching a U-9 team and training them all the way up until college, capturing and couple of national championships on the way.
One thing most people don't know about me… is how close I am with my family. They mean everything to me.
My most memorable moment as a UNLV Rebel is… winning the 2007 MWC championship at home, beating BYU 1-0 in overtime.
