Speed kills on the pitch, particularly when facing teams of lesser talent and athleticism. However, when facing the best and brightest of the Southeastern Conference, speed alone cannot carry a player.
LSU forward Artie Brown came to grasp this concept two years ago, after a stellar freshman season when she scored eight goals. She became the Tigers’ top offensive threat, as she was named the 2001 LSU Team Offensive Most Valuable Player and was a member of Second-Team All-SEC.
The past two offseasons, Brown dedicated herself to an extensive summer workout program that included pickup games with her teammates and soccer ball drills.
“Our coaches gave us a 15-minute workout drill with the ball,” Brown said. “Playing really helps you more than drills.”
The work has paid off. Brown has consistently improved her skill in each of the last two seasons, particularly her first touch on an incoming ball.
Early in the current season, Brown is second on the team in goals with six, trailing only freshman Stacy Bishop, who has nine.
Last year, Brown found the net five times, but doled out four assists.
Coach George Fotopoulos has noticed Brown’s improvement. He said hard work in the offseason takes on an even greater magnitude considering the NCAA’s strict code of athlete-coach interaction during the offseason.
“[Brown] has really had the initiative to make herself a better player,” Fotopoulos said. “She’s really worked hard and it shows.”
Brown said when she gets a chance to watch film, her improvement does not stick out. But she feels it on the field.
“The coaches have told me that [I’ve improved],” Brown said. “I’ve never really seen the improvement on film, but I’ve noticed it [when I’m out there playing].”
Brown’s burst of speed often makes it difficult for opposing defenders to catch up after falling several feet behind her in pursuit.
Fotopoulos said Brown – a graduate of University High – is by far one of the fastest players he has ever coached. He said she is taking advantage of her blazing speed by adding skill to her repertoire.
“Artie is probably the fastest of [the girls I’ve ever recruited],” Fotopoulos said. “She’s putting two and two together and using her speed. She’s complementing a lot of nice players around her.”
With Brown and Bishop up front, a strong defense anchored by sophomore Tara Mitnick and goalie Robyn DesOrmeaux and a solid midfield, Brown said she feels realistic about the Tigers winning this season. The Tigers (5-0) are off to the best start in school history.
“We have more depth,” Brown said. “Everybody is good on the ball. We play to everybody’s strengths and weaknesses. If someone gets hurt, we won’t be missing anything [on the field].”
Speed Demon
September 8, 2003