Amy Barczuk faced a tough decision in high school: soccer or basketball? The two-sport star out of Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colo., drew praise both on the field and on the court.
In basketball she was a four-time letter winner, and a McDonald’s All-American Finalist, but her love of soccer won over in the end.
This past week, the Western New York Flash selected her with as the 14th overall pick of the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League Draft. She is just the second female soccer player to be drafted out of college at CU. With her longtime dream of playing professional soccer realized, Barczuk is excited for what the future holds.
Senior Amy Barczuk dribbles the ball towards the goal against Arizona State University at Prentup Field in this file photo from Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011. This week Barczuk was selected in the inaugural National Women’s Soccer League Draft by the Western New York Flash. (Robert R. Denton/CU Independent File)
“It’s a chance to play with some of the best in the world, and learn from them.” Barczuk said.
Among those greats is USA legend Abby Wombach. Barczuk hopes to one day represent the USA as well.
After capping a very successful prep career with first-team, All-League and All-Colorado honors, she chose to take her talents to the University of Colorado in 2009. The midfielder made her mark immediately, beginning an impressive run in which she played in every single game during her four year career. She is just the fourth player in CU history to accomplish this, and started in all but two of those games.
At the onset of her sophomore year, Barczuk, who had always been driven, found more motivation. When thinking about her future, she realized that her dream of playing professional soccer was within reach, and began to work even harder. Her determination quickly established her as a leader on the field for the Buffs.
Things began to look even more promising in her junior-year season. An invitation to the USA U-23 National Team Training Camp allowed her to compete with and against the best rising stars across the country, an experience that contributed to her superb senior season.
As captain this season, Barczuk showed her poise in clutch situations and scored goals at key times in games. On the road against USC in October, she came through with a game-winning kick in double overtime.
“It was a must-win game,” Barczuk said. “We had just lost 2-1 to UCLA and we needed to get back on track.”
Her goal not only gave the Buffs their first PAC-12 road victory, but also Barczuk’s first game winner. Although her career at CU was illustrious, this moment stands out her most memorable.
Her success did not come easy, though. For her, attention to detail was always key, that and to “put time in on my own, and make sure that time was always worthwhile.”
She also attributes her coaches, trainers and teammates for helping along the way.
“My teammates were always important,” Barczuk said. “The bonds you develop on the field are very strong.”
Her professional career will begin this May when the 2012 WPSL Elite Champions and Barczuck’s new team, the Flash, take on FC Indiana. With Barczuk’s skill, athleticism, and dedication, don’t be surprised if her name appears on the USA World Cup roster in the near future.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Charles Barkmeier at Charles.barkmeier@Colorado.edu.
Tags: amy barczuk Barczuk boulder soccer cu boulder CU Soccer professional soccer Soccer women's soccer WPSL WPSL Western New York Flash
