Long Beach State University Athletics
Senior Year Has Come Too Quickly for Baca
9/1/2008 12:00:00 AM | General
Sept. 1, 2008
Long Beach State defender Sara Baca (Buena) doesn't feel like a senior. She doesn't feel like her soccer career is nearing its end.
But there are subtle reminders around every corner.
"It seems like only yesterday I was signing my own letter of intent, and now recruits are coming on visits for classes like 2012," Baca said. "It's crazy. Everything has gone by in the blink of an eye."
Baca has at least 18 games remaining this season to savor being on the field.
She is one of 10 Long Beach State starters returning from a team that finished 13-7 last year and won its second straight Big West Conference title.
Although not quite at Cal Ripken's level in baseball, Baca has started every game of her college career -- 63 and counting.
"I have gotten lucky by not being injured, but it's so unreal to have not even been sick one day," said Baca, an all-conference honorable-mention selection. "It's something I take pride in, being dependable and being out there every game."
Baca couldn't have picked a better year to go out in terms of travel.
The 49ers spent two weeks in Argentina earlier this summer and are flying back this morning from a tournament in Hawaii.
During the team's trip to South America, Baca was exposed to a new culture and a soccer-mad populace.
"Those people live it and breathe it," she said. "Every billboard, every commercial, everything is about soccer. They are so passionate, and that made it so much more fun. It was such a great experience."
After three years of living away from home, Baca is noticing signs of her maturation process.
"I see myself acting older and being more conservative and really thinking about consequences," she said. "If I want to go to a party but have practice the next day, I know it's not necessarily a good idea. It used to be, Who cares? Let's just go, and if problems arise, we'll deal with it.' "
Baca is planning to trade uniforms once she graduates and pursue a career in firefighting. She's already taken a few ride-alongs with family members in the profession and hung out at the station.
"Being competitive and being an athlete, I don't see myself behind a desk or in a classroom," she said. "I definitely have to be active, and I feel like firefighting would kind of suite me and be the next challenge to conquer."
But for the next few months, she'll still be extinguishing offensive attacks and dealing with underclassmen calling her "Grandma."
"I definitely want to go out with a bang," she said. "Our goal this year it to make the NCAAs and go a couple of rounds deep. That would be a great way to end."
