by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
If Kristine Sweat can perform like she did in 2005, women's soccer fans may have something special to look forward to this year.
Sweat, a senior forward for the Lobos, had a breakthrough season in 2005, becoming one of the most productive players in UNM women's soccer history. With a year left to add to her stats, Sweat said she is thrilled to get her final season started Friday against Canisius College.
"I'm very excited," Sweat said. "I think we're going to do very well. I think we're very prepared for this game."
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Sweat said the team has been training well over the past few weeks. She said the team has a good mix of veterans and youth and is hoping to improve on the late success it had last season.
UNM head coach Kit Vela said Sweat is one of the team's biggest workaholics.
"She's looked good - real consistent," Vela said. "She's a hardworking kid, so you always know what you're going to get out of her."
In 2005, Sweat was one of the most productive players on the field. She led UNM in every major offensive category while starting every game. She scored six goals and had an assist as well.
Sweat moved into the top 10 in UNM career history in goals, now sitting seventh on that list. She's also fourth in career shots at UNM, ninth in points and is tied for 10th in assists.
Even though Sweat had an impressive season last year, Vela said she still has room for improvement.
"She had a good year last year," Vela said. "It was much better than her freshman and sophomore year. She was just coming full circle. I'm hoping for her that after her junior year that she just has a blowout senior year."
In addition to being one of the most productive players, Sweat was very clutch in close games. In 2005, she had three game-winning goals, including the game winner against Brigham Young University, which was ranked No. 6 at the time. Thanks in part to that 1-0 victory, Sweat was named Mountain West Conference Athlete of the Week for the week of Oct. 10.
Sweat said the goal against BYU is one of her greatest memories as a soccer player.
"That's definitely one of the best ones," Sweat said. "It's nice to know you have your whole team behind you, and to help them out like that when we really needed a goal was good."
Vela said the fact that Sweat has been able to come through and score in big games is no surprise because of the work ethic she has.
"Kristine's one of the hardest workers we have," Vela said. "She's worked very, very hard for her accomplishments. They didn't come easy to her."
Vela said the kind of effort Sweat puts into each practice rubs off on her teammates and helps make for a good atmosphere every day.
"She's a classy kid," Vela said. "She's hardworking, and she never complains about anything. She just gets out there and does her job."
