This past season, ISU women’s soccer goalie Joanna Haig was surprised when she received the job as starting goalkeeper, especially since she was a true freshman.

She received an even greater shock, though, when she was named to Soccer Buzz magazine’s all-Freshman Central Region Team, and was invited to try out for the 2005 U.S. Under-21 Women’s National Soccer Team.

Haig said her initial reaction when head coach Rebecca Hornbacher told her to call the under-21 national team tryout coaches was one of honor, but also of bewilderment.

“I was just so confused, and shocked,” Haig said. “I really didn’t know what to say.”

Haig will be attending a training camp in Carson, Calif. for the under-21 national team in February, where her skills will be evaluated and the roster for the team will be finalized.

Hornbacher said both awards are very big honors, and they demonstrate how much respect Haig has earned in only one year.

“Joanna has the potential to be a big-time goalkeeper,” Hornbacher said. “I’m very happy that she is getting the recognition that she is [receiving], because she deserves it. She has made a huge difference for our team.”

Assistant coach Ileana Moschos is also excited for Haig, and, being a goalkeeper herself, she recognizes how Haig’s athleticism makes her so lethal.

“Joanna is an unbelievable athlete, and she’s a smart kid,” Moschos said. “Because of her athletic ability, she is able to train at a high level to increase her technical style of the game.”

Moschos added that Haig works extremely hard during practice, and is never afraid to ask questions when there is something she needs help with. Having played international soccer for Greece in the Olympics, Moschos knows the challenges that Haig will face.

“[She] is going to be exposed to a higher level of intensity,” Moschos said. “The ability of each individual player is better.”

This season Haig has made her presence known on the national level. The highlight of her 2004 season was a 14-save performance against Texas. Coincidentally, Longhorn coach Chris Petrucelli is also the head coach for the under-21 national team.

“[Petrucelli] saw me play, and that was probably the best game I’d had all season,” Haig said. “I know that I have to be at the top of my game when I’m there, so I can match the standard that I set against Texas.”

As a freshman, Haig earned eight victories on the season, which is the most of any Cyclone goalie since 1999. She also pieced together a 1.38 goals-against average, which places her second on Iowa State’s single-season goals-against average record.

The entire experience has taken its toll on Haig, and the reality of her upcoming season is finally beginning to set in.

“I’ve been pretty overwhelmed,” Haig said. “I’ve been just trying to get into shape, and get into the swing of things because I haven’t played too much [during winter break].”

She credits the team for her success as much, if not more, than herself, she said.

“My teammates are awesome,” Haig said. “They help my feel comfortable back there. Without my teammates, this wouldn’t even be possible.”