Gator's go-getter

As Bettina Neubauer set off to experience life's ups and downs on her first jaunt to college, most of her current teammates were still contemplating the ups and downs of the schoolyard jungle gym.

"Everyone knows she's the old lady on the team," senior midfielder Erica Carter said of the 25-year-old junior and co-captain of the SF State women's soccer team. "It's great to see someone older out there still trying and working harder than anyone."

Neubauer's blue-collar approach to soccer is nothing new. From her days of youth soccer in Fremont to her first collegiate year at Sonoma State University, and now to her resurrected career for the Gators -- her success can perhaps best be measured in terms of perspiration.

"I've never been the most talented player," Neubauer says. "But I expect a lot of myself and always play as hard as I possibly can for as long as I possibly can."

But in the event that she doesn't, look out, her teammates say.

"If Bettina's having a bad practice, everyone's going to know about it because she'll be yelling," said Carter.

And, for better or worse, Neubauer's wrath isn't always directed at her own play.

"I had some very non-appropriate things to say after the Chico game," she admitted. "But I was hoping it would shake some people up. For the past three games we had been playing comfortably numb, and I'm not comfortable with that. Maybe not everything I do or say is appropriate, but I don't care if you hate me. I just want to know that you're feeling something."

And perhaps that security is a by-product of experience. After a redshirt year at Sonoma State University, financial problems forced Neubauer back to the Bay Area and into the work force. Despite her intense love for the game, Neubauer didn't touch a soccer ball for nearly two years. Instead, she focused on other things in life, such as her husband-to-be. (The two have since married).

"I guess I felt like my glory years were over and it was time to move on to other things," recalled Neubauer. "But I couldn't stay away."

She began playing for different club teams throughout the Bay Area (at one point four at a time), and in the process talked to SF State coach Joe Hunter -- who had recruited Neubauer for Sonoma State -- about playing for the Gators. After completing her associate of arts degree at Chabot Junior College, Neubauer made her return to the collegiate arena last season as a part-time starter at midfielder.

"It was good to get back (to soccer), but it was a very tough season," Neubauer said. "It was a very diverse group with very different goals, and coming in as an outsider made it hard."

But 1995 brought a new mix of personalities, and with it an improved team chemistry, Neubauer said.

"Last year there were conflicts that weren't talked about it," she said. "This year, at least everything is out in the open. I'm sure I've rubbed some people the wrong way, and I've had some conflicts with people, but we all have the same goals."

Maybe some have taken it personally, but Carter said it's just Neubauer's way of showing she cares about the team.

"It rubs a few people the wrong way," she said. "But I think it's just that Bettina has really taken her captain's role to heart and is trying to rally the team."

And that's precisely the reason Neubauer is a captain.

"She adds something to a team because she does(italics) speak her mind," said head coach Jack Hyde. "They may not all agree with her, but she will (italics) voice her opinion. That's always a desirable position for a coach to have a player like that, because a coach can set the parameters and give direction, but I always look for the team to be led from within."

And the fact that Neubauer's not a bad player makes it that much more desirable.

"She's quick, she's got a great left foot and she's really nailed down that back outside position," said Hyde.

Those having trouble coping with Neubauer's brash, authoritarian leadership should be forewarned -- she has one more year of eligibility. And she will use it.

"I've started to learn that, first and foremost, I have to be true to myself," she said. "I've always said, 'We don't have to be friends off the field. We just have to be the best of friends for 90 minutes while we're on the field."

[ Golden Gater Online October 19, 1995 ]

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