August 27, 2004

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Palo Alto Online

West takes advantage of a second chance

by Rick Eymer

o one will appreciate stepping on the field more than Stanford senior Martha West when the Cardinal women's soccer team opens its season tonight with a 7 p.m. match against visiting Utah.

It's been five long, excruciating years since West played soccer at Stanford. She's not about to give up her second chance.

"I'm fortunate to get a second chance at a sport I've loved and played," West Said. "I didn't know if I would get the opportunity to get back. It was devastating to me that my career was cut short with something I couldn't help."

Fifth-year senior Marcie Ward also returns after missing a year with a foot injury.

West was forced to leave Stanford after her sophomore season in 1999 because of health issues and personal reasons. She worked herself through a series of problems and was able to return to school in January.

West introduced herself to second-year coach Paul Ratcliffe and the two discussed the possibility of West joining the team this fall. The NCAA granted West a year of eligibility and even though she'll turn 25 in September, West will probably have just as many butterflies as she did as a freshman.

"I can't believe it; it's been unbelievable," West said. "I knew it would be a coin toss. I did everything I could on my part and was honest with Paul, the NCAA and myself. I have a new passion for the game."

West, a philosophy major, also has a new passion for life. Her return to school defines a new beginning, one that she won't be taking for granted this time around.

"I had to battle through things other college and professional athletes have had to deal with," West said. "You just don't know when you are 14, 15 or 16, that things could be a problem. My life spun out of control at an age you least expect it. So I wasn't going to let this second chance pass by for good. When I look at where I was five years ago to today, I feel grateful."

West started to run on her own about a year ago as a way to get back in shape. At the time she had no idea she would be allowed to participate in soccer ever again. When she takes the field for the first time, it will have been five years since she played a competitive match.

"I don't know if the game has changed or my perspective has changed," West said. "I understand the game a little more and being older I look at things differently on the field. I think my mental game is better."

Her teammates have accepted her with open arms, and any thought of calling her the team mother would be dealt with swiftly. West just wants to be one of the girls.

"I really respect the girls, the game, the coaches and the school," West said. "I think there is mutual respect that I probably didn't have before."

West appeared in 38 games, starting 14, in her first two years at Stanford under Steve Swanson. She has seven career goals and four assists. Right now, though, just feeling the ball against her foot will be good enough.
Tennis

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association will honor its 2004 All-Star team at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York today.

Stanford junior Amber Liu, making her third appearance at the U.S. Open next week, will be among the honorees as the ITA National Women's Player of the Year.

Stanford grad Lauren Barnikow and Cardinal senior Erin Burdette will also be honored.

Among the men all-stars are Stanford senior Sam Warburg and junior KC Corkery.

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