The Red and Black

Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: LINDY DUGGER Senior midfielder Joni Vickers, of Peachtree City, plays against South Florida on Sept. 9. Vickers is the only player left from her class. [Click to enlarge]

When Joni Vickers came to the University three years ago, she was one of seven freshmen players on the women's soccer team. Since that time, Vickers has seen her fellow recruiting class disband due to transferring, medical problems and cuts.

By her sophomore year, the first year of head coach Patrick Baker, two players from her class were left. One year later, both were gone. Now as a true senior, and the only remaining player from her class, Vickers is the team captain.

"I think one of the big things is her class has dissipated around her year-by-year-by-year for reasons that are some ours and some for other reasons," Baker said. "To stay through everything - the benefits and the cost. And now she's reaping the rewards."

Vickers' background has helped her achieve those accomplishments.

During high school in Peachtree City, she was the captain of McIntosh's soccer team for two years - leading the team to a state title her senior year. She was also the captain of the AFC Lightning, her club team, and her high school basketball team.

Vickers has brought the same leadership qualities to Georgia, and as the captain of an inexperienced team, she's needed them.

In her junior year, she played in the midfield with three seniors. This year, Georgia's starting lineup consists of six freshmen and only two upperclassmen, both juniors. Vickers' play has helped the team to a 5-1 start.

"The things that Joni does for us to be successful will never be in the box score," Baker said. "For Joni, at the end of the day, it's whether we win or lose. And that's something she takes great pride in."

One of those attributes has been her steadfast composure. In last week's tournament in Los Angeles, Vickers never came off the pitch. In Friday's fixture against the No. 17 University of Southern California - Georgia's first ranked opponent this season - Vickers said the team came out timid. Although the team lost, Vickers said Georgia learned a valuable lesson.

"We realized we can compete with nationally-ranked teams," she said.

Regardless of how the rest of the season fares, Vickers said she shouldn't have any regrets. When she steps off the field at the end of the season, she'll have given Georgia soccer everything she's got, which Baker said is a laundry-list long.

"I'm definitely going to miss it," Vickers said. "It's going to be a bittersweet ending."

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