Building a Legacy with Brandi Park
09/28/2016 | Soccer
Junior transfer student Brandi Park spent her first two seasons of eligibility with Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz.
"When I was playing at Pima I had no intention of coming to the University of Arizona," said Park. "But, as the opportunity came I really wanted to join the U of A soccer team and get to know more about the experience."
Competition at the junior college level differs greatly from what fans see at the Division I level. However, this didn't seem to effect Brandi and her team's success as she notched 14 goals and 21 assists in her time there. Last season, she helped lead her team to the quarterfinals of the Junior College National Championship.
"The competition is definitely a lot harder now," said Park. "Pima was more laid back and I had more freedom with that team. In our conference at Pima, the competition wasn't nearly as tough as it is in the Pac-12. When we went to nationals, we saw that change."
Park says that assistant coach Paul Nagy came out to some of her games and ever since then she hasn't looked back. Head coach Tony Amato and his staff have had a great impact on her as a player.
"Tony is a great coach," said Park. "He really knows what he is talking about and how to coach, he understands how to keep a team together and win games. The environment is great and everyone gets along."
A Tucson native, Park grew up watching the Arizona football team with her family. She says the experience has changed now that she's a part of the program.
"I wasn't a big U of A soccer fan," said Park. "But my family had season tickets to football, so I grew up going to those games. Now, going to football games and being a part of the athletics program is different. A good kind of different."
It seems that like the team as a whole, Park also only has one thing on her mind. Like she did at Pima, she wants to help Arizona make the NCAA tournament.
"My goal is to play almost every game and to start every game I can," said Park. "I want to be a big part of the team and help the team win games. The team goal is to take one game at a time and not look too far ahead. We want to make it into the tournament."
Park seems to be achieving her individual goal. She has started every match for the Wildcats so far this year and has earned a full 90 minutes of play time in five of those matches.
For the team to succeed, home games will be a big part of that performance. Arizona takes on a Pac-12 rivals hosting Colorado and Utah this weekend and the team wants the experience at Mulcahy to be fired up.
"Playing under the lights is a big deal and it's something I have wanted to do ever since I was on a big college team," Park said. "It's a great experience. Plus, my family comes out to every game, which I enjoy."
Now it's your turn to Experience It Yourself at Arizona's home matches this season. You can pick up tickets at ArizonaWildcats.com or purchase tickets at the door.
The Arizona Wildcats continue their regular season this weekend in Tucson, Ariz. when they host Colorado on Thursday at 7 p.m. MST.
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