6 minute read
Harder. Better. Faster. Stronger.
Sophomore forward Erica Vangsness is changing the meaning of hard work
Emily Kelley / Roundup
The fall is synonymous with change. Changing classes, changing wardrobe, changing season. Some people are afraid of change, but Pierce College sophomore forward Erica Vangsness is taking her changes in stride.
“In high school, I kinda did my thing, I was very social,” said Vangsness, 20. “I had good grades, but I didn’t have great grades. I have this focus now, of school and soccer. It’s pretty much all I do. I’m not letting anything get in the way of that right now. I’ve matured a little bit, focused up.”
Vangsness’ focus turns into intensity on the field. Despite standing inches shorter than some of the taller, bigger girls in the game, she is never one to shy away from a phyical play. Vangsness will go shoulder to shoulder to fight for the ball, and knows how to take a hit in return.
But you would guess that if you’ve never seen her play.
In person, Vangsness the epitome of a California girl. Blonde, freckled, sporting sunglasses and flip flops, she is calm and easy to smile. Talking to her she is just as curious about you as you are about her.
How she came to Pierce is also curious.
The Los Angeles University High School graduate previous had no plans for the fall after graduating high school, but heard about Pierce’s program and her club soccer coach introduced her to Head Coach Adolfo Perez, who invited her to train with them.
“[I came to Pierce] for the program. My home school is Santa Monica [City College],” she said. I live 4 miles from Santa Monica. So I guess I should be there but they’re not in the top 10 in the state every year, so that’s why I came here.”
Vangsness joined the team two weeks before the start of last season, and “just died on the field.”
“I came in totally out of shape,” Vangsness said. “I was barely here, I barely knew the girls.”
Last season, Vangsness scored a total of 12 goals with 5 assists. She suffered from a stress fracture in her foot the week before playoffs, among other minor injuries.
Vangsness was determined to make some changes in preparation for the next season. She attended the summer session of training, and worked hard to get better. That hardwork is already paying dividends.
This season, she’s matched that with 4 assists in only 10 games. She’s noticeably slimmer, fitter and stronger, and is ranked as the third leading scorer in the state by California Community Soccer News.
“In soccer, goal scoring is the hardest thing to do,” said Perez. “And that’s her biggest asset.”
Vangsness is also one of four team captains this season.
“I made her a captain because of her work ethic, her commitment and her dedication over the last year,” said Perez. “She always wants to be better.”
The Los Angeles native said that she felt she was a right fit for the position and is happy there.
“I’m really proud Adolfo handed me the captaincy,” she said.
Vangsness is one of six veterans on the team, along with fellow captains sophomore midfielder/forward
Ani Eishoei and defender Samatha Tan, goal keeper Marisa Graska, forward Nicole Jovel and midfielders Brenda and Erica Ceja.
“The returners have a big impact,” said Vangsness They [freshmen] come to us if they need something. We have a good foundation for our team.”
Perez said that she sets a good example for the new players, that because she works hard, it makes them work hard as well.
Freshman sweeper and captain Jennifer Vengegas said that Vangsness’s leadership skills are her biggest asset.
“She treats every player the same. We’re one team,” said Venegas. And her soccer playing is not the only thing that’s changed since coming to Pierce.
Vangsness is a straight A student and is looking to attend an Ivy League university, and is planning to apply to Columbia University, Brown University and Boston College, among others.
“I have two more years left of soccer and I know that. So I’m gonna take advantage of that, cause who knows if I’ll have any more soccer left in me,” said Vangsness. “But at the end of the day, I know that education is the most important thing.”
She said that she has “dabbled in everything,” but is interested in possibly studying biology.
Perez said that she is bright enough to get into schools like Columbia and Brown, but that he’s also confident that she could play at that level if she continues her hard work.
“Erica is unique, because she’s left footed. Out of our 23 players, only two are left footed,” said Perez.
“That’s going to work to her advantage.”
Vangsness has the support of her coach and team, but also her family. The second to youngest of 4 children, her parents put her in AYSO soccer at 4 years old. Her siblings all played soccer or another sport at one time, but Vangsness said she was the one that stuck with soccer.
Vangsness’ parents divorced when she was 13, but her mother can be seen at almost every game and her father, a surgeon at USC Medical, makes it to as many as he can.
“They’ve been there through everything.” she said. “I got hurt when I was 14, I hurt my knee. I didn’t know if I wanted to play soccer again, but they helped me through it.”
Through all the ups and downs, Vangsness knows that coming to Pierce was the right decision and has helped to shape her as a soccer player and a person.
“I’m more focused, because I’m playing soccer and I’m playing well,” Vangsness said. “I’m getting great grades here, I’ve met new people. “It’s a change for me. Change of atmosphere, change of people, change of education and change of soccer.”
