Nov. 7, 2008

Story courtesy of Union Sports Information Office

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - A change of position proved to be what Union College’s Renata Peixoto needed.

The sophomore moved from a forward to the midfield for the Union women’s soccer team for this season and all she did was shatter the school record for assists in a season.

“Now I’m playing my position,” said Peixoto. The move allows Peixoto to be herself. “I would rather give a perfect pass to a teammate than score a goal myself.

“As a midfielder, I have to work hard all over the field while at forward I worked with the ball,” she added.

Being a forward last season was out of necessary for the team. Despite being out of position, she scored five goals to rank third on the team.

“What she has done this season has been amazing,” Union head coach Jason Lanham said.

The head coach noted how he could see her ability during the spring during workouts. “She has taken it to another level and done a wonderful job,” Lanham commented.

All she done was recorded 27 assists through the 2008 regular season which ranks third in NAIA history for a single season. The rest of the Lady Bulldogs have accounted for 32 assists. To go along with the assists she also has scored 15 goals, the second-most by a Lady Bulldog this season.

With the scoring outburst, the Brasilia, Brazil native moved up Union’s career goals, assists and points list. Peixoto enters the postseason with 31 assists to rank sixth in her Union career. Her 71 career points place her in a tie for 11th while the 20 goals are 14th all time.

In spite of the recent success, she is still learning the game. Peixoto talked about she first played organized soccer five years ago. Having only playing organized soccer for a short time, she grew up playing in the streets of Brazil.

In nine matches this season, she recorded a goal with an assist. Peixoto’s high-point total came against Tennessee Temple University with a hat trick with three assists. Her season-best five assists was against conference foe Bluefield (Va.) College. The five assists in a match rank in a tie for fourth in NAIA history.

One thing that helps her distribution of passes is being able to see the field. She also has learned what to do with the ball thanks to Union’s assistant coaches Camila Mendes and Amanda Weber. Both played for Union and combined for 151 points during their careers as Lady Bulldogs. Peixoto passed Weber’s 62 points and should chase down Mendes and her 89 career points.

Mendes is a fellow Brazilian who has helped Peixoto both on and off the field.

“I was surprised and overwhelmed with her offensive output,” Mendes said.

Along with the playing abilities, Mendes is impressed with Peixoto’s leadership ability. “She has added a vocal leadership on the field for everyone,” the assistant coach said.

Fans can hear her vocal outburst and watch her emotions on the field in every match.

“She comes to play everyday,” Lanham added. “She gets the job done and she includes her teammates.”

Peixoto also gave credit to the Union tandem of forwards Ashley Hall (Hazard, Ky.) and Marcela Salum (Guatemala City, Guatelamala). Hall leads the team and the Appalachian Athletic Conference with 19 goals, while Salum is right behind her with 16 tallies.

Beside of Peixoto in the Union midfield is senior Heather Jaques (Manitoba, Canada). Peixoto has been able to learn and play with the Third Team NAIA All-American this season. Jaques scored 13 goals with six assists in 2007 and added 12 goals and eight assists this season.

Peixoto helped Union to a program-record 14 wins in the regular season. The 14 wins also are tied for the fourth most in a season by a Lady Bulldog squad. Union finished in a tie for fourth with a 4-3 conference record this season.

Union travels to Tennessee Wesleyan College for an AAC Tournament Quarterfinal contest Saturday. The match is scheduled for 2 p.m. as Union looks to avenge a 4-2 loss from September.