University of Minnesota Athletics
Driven: Senior Regina Moench
10/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Moench was a standout while attending Bloomington Jefferson High School. Her career was accentuated with a variety of accolades including four years all-conference, three years all-metro and three all-state selections. Oh yeah, she was a two-time all- conference honoree cager for the Jaguars to boot.
After graduation, Moench had to decide what path she wanted to pursue. She wasn't recruited by the Golden Gophers, but she wanted to play collegiate soccer against the best in the country. Her competitive nature just wouldn't let her settle for less. Disappointed but determined, Moench accepted an offer from Creighton University.
"I'm really, really competitive," Moench said. "I wanted to play at the highest level and I really thought I could."
Moench has a swagger about her. Her positive attitude and trust in her team reflects a sense of confidence that shines bright as the sun. Perhaps it was that self-confidence that helped her make one of the most important decisions of her life.
When Moench arrived on the Creighton campus in the fall of 2001, she made an immediate impact on the team and in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). She started all 20 games her freshman year and blasted two game-winning goals on her way to being named the MVC Freshman of the Year. With 20 goals and 52 points in three seasons with the BlueJays, she was a three-year letterwinner at Creighton, along with a three-time all-conference honoree.
Even with the success, something didn't feel right for Moench. She was scoring goals and winning awards, but she knew there was better competition out there. She wanted to prove she belonged on a pitch with the best players in one of the nation's elite soccer conferences. Enter the University of Minnesota.
"The competition and conference are so much different here than at Creighton," Moench said. "Every game is the highest competition that I've ever been a part of. It's so much more fun. There's nothing better than that. The honors (at Creighton) don't even compare to being able to play at this level. I would have traded all the honors to be able to play here for four years."
That statement alone speaks to the competitive fire burning inside of Moench, compelling her to work, play and succeed against the foremost soccer programs in the land.
So Moench decided to transfer to the University of Minnesota, to play in her home state under new head coach Mikki Denney Wright. Moench had little trouble getting acclimated to her new surroundings.
Moench arrived on campus last spring in order to become familiar with her new team and coaches. She anticipated the transfer process would have some difficult moments, but admits she could not have been more wrong.
"I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls," Moench said proudly. "These girls were so welcoming, so unbelievable, they made me feel like a part of the team from the first day."
And the girls couldn't have asked for a better teammate, seriously. Through this year, Moench has three goals and eight points, including the game-winner at Iowa last weekend.
She also was voted one of the team's four captains, an honor she admits was unexpected.
"It's an unbelievable honor," she said. "I didn't have that much time to spend with them (before the season), so it was a big surprise they picked me, but I'm proud of it."
After all the games, goals and awards, Moench has but one collegiate game remaining. How would she like to end her career?
"A hat trick would be nice," Moench said.
Don't doubt her either, Moench never met a challenge she wasn't up for. She's just driven.
Story written by Athletic Communications student assistant Kevin Morales. Morales welcomes comments at mora0132@umn.edu
Driven. Aside from being the title of a hit documentary show on VH1, it's also the choice adjective to describe University of Minnesota senior captain Regina Moench.
Moench was a standout while attending Bloomington Jefferson High School. Her career was accentuated with a variety of accolades including four years all-conference, three years all-metro and three all-state selections. Oh yeah, she was a two-time all- conference honoree cager for the Jaguars to boot.
After graduation, Moench had to decide what path she wanted to pursue. She wasn't recruited by the Golden Gophers, but she wanted to play collegiate soccer against the best in the country. Her competitive nature just wouldn't let her settle for less. Disappointed but determined, Moench accepted an offer from Creighton University.
"I'm really, really competitive," Moench said. "I wanted to play at the highest level and I really thought I could."
Moench has a swagger about her. Her positive attitude and trust in her team reflects a sense of confidence that shines bright as the sun. Perhaps it was that self-confidence that helped her make one of the most important decisions of her life.
When Moench arrived on the Creighton campus in the fall of 2001, she made an immediate impact on the team and in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). She started all 20 games her freshman year and blasted two game-winning goals on her way to being named the MVC Freshman of the Year. With 20 goals and 52 points in three seasons with the BlueJays, she was a three-year letterwinner at Creighton, along with a three-time all-conference honoree.
Even with the success, something didn't feel right for Moench. She was scoring goals and winning awards, but she knew there was better competition out there. She wanted to prove she belonged on a pitch with the best players in one of the nation's elite soccer conferences. Enter the University of Minnesota.
"The competition and conference are so much different here than at Creighton," Moench said. "Every game is the highest competition that I've ever been a part of. It's so much more fun. There's nothing better than that. The honors (at Creighton) don't even compare to being able to play at this level. I would have traded all the honors to be able to play here for four years."
That statement alone speaks to the competitive fire burning inside of Moench, compelling her to work, play and succeed against the foremost soccer programs in the land.
So Moench decided to transfer to the University of Minnesota, to play in her home state under new head coach Mikki Denney Wright. Moench had little trouble getting acclimated to her new surroundings.
Moench arrived on campus last spring in order to become familiar with her new team and coaches. She anticipated the transfer process would have some difficult moments, but admits she could not have been more wrong.
"I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls," Moench said proudly. "These girls were so welcoming, so unbelievable, they made me feel like a part of the team from the first day."
And the girls couldn't have asked for a better teammate, seriously. Through this year, Moench has three goals and eight points, including the game-winner at Iowa last weekend.
She also was voted one of the team's four captains, an honor she admits was unexpected.
"It's an unbelievable honor," she said. "I didn't have that much time to spend with them (before the season), so it was a big surprise they picked me, but I'm proud of it."
After all the games, goals and awards, Moench has but one collegiate game remaining. How would she like to end her career?
"A hat trick would be nice," Moench said.
Don't doubt her either, Moench never met a challenge she wasn't up for. She's just driven.
Story written by Athletic Communications student assistant Kevin Morales. Morales welcomes comments at mora0132@umn.edu