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Local sisters bring
collegiate soccer expedition to PTC
By
MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@thecitizennews.com
The Clemson Lady Tigers soccer team will travel to Peachtree city Saturday,
Aug. 19 to face the Vanderbilt Lady Commodores in an exhibition soccer
match to raise money for the Peachtree City Lazers U-13 girls team.
Clemson is ranked number six in the NSCAA preseason poll and made the
Elite Eight last year. The team is helped by the play of sisters Julie
and Nancy Augustyniak of Peachtree City. The sisters have started all
66 games of their collegiate careers and also play together on the Atlanta
Classics, Atlanta’s W-League team.
In high school, the Augustyniaks played for the McIntosh lady Chiefs.
The team won two region titles in 1995 and 1997 and also won a state title
in 1995. They are both natural athletes who lettered in soccer, softball,
track and basketball before graduating from high school.
The girls dedication to soccer was apparent, they played club level soccer
for Tophat, which is based in North Atlanta. Several days a week the family
drove up so they could continue to play at a high level.
Julie plays midfield most of the time, while Nancy usually plays as a
defender. One of their strengths is their versatility. They can play comfortably
at any position on the field and that makes them a valuable commodity
for whichever team they are playing on.
Nancy has recently spent time playing with the Under 21 national team
in France. Se has also trained with the National team in Orlando, sharing
the field with players like Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers.
Nancy was also the most heavily recruited of the two sisters and Clemson
was told they would either get both girls or none of them. They chose
both and have to be ecstatic with the results.
Clemson is a consistent powerhouse in NCAA play and is looking for a huge
season from the team. They have made the Elite Eight the past two seasons
and are ranked the highest in the history of the program.
Vanderbilt had an off season last year, but had made the NCAA tournament
in each of the previous five years. The Lady Commodores have overcome
several key injuries, including that of goalkeeper Laura Whitt. Whitt
had 106 saves and eight shutouts as a freshman.
The public is encouraged to come out and watch some excellent soccer this
Saturday evening. The girls that will take the field may be the next batch
of players in the new women’s professional league.
The game will be played at the Baseball/Soccer Complex in Peachtree City
Saturday, Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults, ages 13 and
up, and $5 for kids 6-12. Children under 6 will be admitted free.
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