Junior midfielder for the Washburn Lady Blues soccer team, Lara Doescher, is steadily settling into her second year.

Doescher first began playing soccer when she was a mere four years old.

“My parents taught me how to play,” said Doescher. “And ever since then, I’ve been motivated to keep playing simply, because I love it.”

She then moved on to play soccer throughout her entire high school career at Millennium High School in Arizona and then in Paradise Valley Community College.

“Soccer just really makes my day,” said Doescher.

Head coach, Tim Collins, first came in contact with Doescher in the late November of last year, while Doescher was still attending Paradise Valley Community College in Arizona.

“I’m not sure exactly how he found me at PVCC as a player, but I’m really glad he did,” said Doescher, “After my first visit to Washburn, I knew it was definitely the best fit for my remaining years of eligibility as a soccer player.”

Collins personally calls Doescher the strong newer presence on the team.

“Without a doubt, she’s a refreshing presence and muscle on the time,” said Collins. “She brings in winning experience from her previous year at PVCC and competes everyday in practice and the classroom. She’s been a great influence.”

This year, fresh from her first year on the field at Washburn, Doescher understands what’s expected of her.

“You’re always going to have your peers watching you, both younger and older, so doing the right thing and keeping a positive leading attitude is always important on the field,” said Doescher.

Collins agrees wholeheartedly.

“Our junior class is terrified, and Laura, being a junior, acts as if she’s been here all four years,” said Collins. “She has great relationships with her teammates already. She definitely has a strong start for what she’ll be looking into as a senior player next year.”

Since first joining the Lady Blues soccer team just last season, Doescher has described her experience with the team as nothing but perfect.

“I absolutely love it,” said Doescher. “The girls on the team immediately welcomed me to the team last spring, and I truly couldn’t have found a better team that is so friendly and talented to become a part of.”

According to Collins, Doescher fit to the team like a hand in a glove.

“She’s a good person, a terrific player with a beautiful soccer mindset,” said Collins.  “She was accepted instantly by the girls on the team. All of those things combined make her a great part of the building team we have here at Washburn University.”

The Washburn Lady Blues face off next against Fort Hays State Sept. 28.