Wundt nears FSC record

Courtesy of the Sentinel and Enterprise
By Chuck Sargent

FITCHBURG -- For the Fitchburg State College women's soccer team, junior captain Lauren Wundt has been everything coach Bruce Walberg could ask for and more.

"Her arrival on campus absolutely has raised the level of our team," Walberg said. "When she's on the field, I think everybody on the team feels that we can win.

"And I hate to use sports analogies, but when (Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt) Schilling was on the mound with the bloody sock, the Red Sox knew they could win. Lauren Wundt comes on our field and we know we have the potential to win because she can do so much with the ball."

One major milestone on the horizon for Wundt is the career goals record. Just four shy of the school mark of 29, and just three games into her junior season, it is not a question of if she will break the record, but when. And while she would like to accomplish the feat sooner rather than later, she also knows helping her team win games is the main priority.

"I haven't scored in the last two games," Wundt said. "But as long as I feel like I'm contributing, that's all that matters. Yeah, it would be amazing to break it really soon, and I have good hopes of it happening this season. But if not, definitely next season.

"But as long as I'm helping out with the team and contributing, my individual stats don't matter. As long as I've got the team behind me and I'm helping them out, that's all that matters."

It is that type of attitude that makes her a favorite with her teammates. That, along with her extraordinary talent, is why Walberg holds her in such high regard.

"When she's on the field, she just makes everybody better," Walberg said. "I'm probably going to aggravate some people down in Worcester, but I absolutely believe Lauren Wundt is the best player in our conference. She does so much and works so hard. She gets double- and triple-teamed and she's still able to make things happen."

With all that she has accomplished, it should come as no surprise that Wundt was named a captain after her freshman season. And with the captaincy, Wundt takes great pride in her responsibility.

"Leading the team has been an amazing experience," Wundt said. "We have pretty much a whole new squad this year, a lot of new freshmen. And everyone listens really well. They never argue or go against what (the captains) say. As captains, all four of us throw in our ideas and make it jell and the team just really plays well together and gets along."

With three straight games at Elliot Field ahead on the schedule, there is a good chance Wundt could tie or break the record in front of a home crowd, which is just fine with her.

"I would love to do it at home," Wundt said. "I'm really hoping that's how it's going to happen. Especially night games. We had a really great crowd (Saturday), but the night games just pump you up a little bit more."

Luckily for Wundt, the Falcons have three home night games coming up against Salve Regina, on Sept. 9; Castleton, on Sept. 11; and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, on Sept 13.

Regardless of how it all goes down, Wundt definitely has a fan in her coach.

"Her work ethic is second to none," Walberg said. "She is probably the nicest young lady you're going to meet. She's easy to coach and is a wonderful team leader. I absolutely adore Lauren Wundt. To me, she embodies Fitchburg State women's soccer."