Randolph-Macon women's soccer team has strong Covenant feel

College can be an interesting place. For many, it’s their first time moving away from home, the first time being on their own. Some enjoy the freedom, the chance to meet new people. Others look for friends to aid them as they become familiar with their new surrounding.

For three former Covenant soccer players, the chance to play at Randolph-Macon College this year was enticing. Adding to the attraction, one of Randolph-Macon’s top players is a former Eagles’ star that the three girls knew and could get information from. Now, thanks in part to that connection, the Yellow Jackets’ roster has a very strong Covenant feel to it.

Former Eagles Rachel Maxwell, Sarah Nieburg, and Kelly Crispens are all in their first year with Randolph-Macon while another former Covenant standout, junior Erin Hauser, is leading the team in goals with 12 scores in 13 games.

Hauser’s presence at the school was beneficial for the girls in their decision as to where they would spend their college years, seeing the star player earn conference rookie of the year and first-team all-conference honors as a freshman.

“She is just easy to relate to and really helped me in choosing where I was going to go play soccer,” Nieburg said. “She is really supportive and a really good teammate. It was really important for me to feel comfortable wherever I was going, knowing I was going to have people to look out for me. Having Erin there was a really big deal for me.”

For Maxwell, it was similar. Having Hauser already at the school was simply comforting.

“It helped knowing there was someone I knew playing soccer at Randolph-Macon,” Maxwell said. “She was able to tell me about the soccer program by answering any questions I had about the coach and the team.”

Same goes for Crispens.

“Erin did play a part in my decision because we had played together before, and I liked the idea of already knowing someone on the team,” Crispens said. “I'm totally comfortable with Erin here, it actually helped a lot with trying to adjust to everything and have someone older to get advice from.”

Having learned about Randolph-Macon from Hauser, the three freshmen are now gaining knowledge from her on the field. The trio of freshmen has all seen the field plenty this season as the Yellow Jackets sit at 7-5-1 and 5-3 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Nieburg has played in eight games, Maxwell has played in nine, and Crispens is tied with a team-high 13 appearances, starting four times.

Hauser, who has started each game, hopes that her advice has been advantageous.

“It’s been really good having them on the team,” Hauser said. “It’s good to play with people you have played with before. They were able to talk to me coming into the season, kind of give them a little more attention than the rest of the incoming freshmen. Knowing someone coming in is more comforting. I tried to make them less nervous coming into preseason.

“I think that they [the Covenant trio of freshmen] have the potential to make a big impact. Kelly has already gotten a lot of playing time this year. With a couple of our seniors graduating [this season], Sarah and Rachel have the chance to step up.”

With previous success, the future looks bright. Their high school coach is happy with what the group did at the Covenant and what they will soon achieve.

“They certainly left somewhat of a legacy on Covenant soccer,” coach Pat Campbell said. “Two of the state championships we won, the first was with Kelly and Erin on the team. The second was with Kelly, Erin and Rachel.”

Nieburg arrived her senior year after transferring from Western Albemarle, helping the team to a state semifinal appearance.

Now, all look to leave their legacy at Randolph-Macon.

“We knew Erin was great in high school, but I don’t think it’s too strong of a word to say she is great in college,” Campbell said. “A lot of high school athletes wonder if they can play at the next level. With determination, a lot of them can, and that is what you see with these girls.”