Pritzen brings veteran presence to Missouri soccer

The senior’s maturity is helping develop the younger Tiger players.

By Pat Iversen

Published Sept. 17, 2010

On a Wednesday morning, another grueling practice finishes for the Missouri Tigers soccer team. As the crowd of tired players walks off the slick field, the two goalkeepers are instantly recognizable. Shirts and arms dotted with wet grass stains, sophomore Jessica Gwin and senior Paula Pritzen walk toward a small group of reporters together.

Before they go separate ways to be interviewed, Pritzen spins around and jokingly swings her athletic bag in Gwin’s direction, eliciting a laugh from the younger keeper. Both are exhausted, but Gwin later said Pritzen always has the ability to lighten spirits.

“She has such a positive attitude,” Gwin said. “There’s not a day she doesn’t say something funny or do something to put a smile on my face. Whenever we’re negative or down, her experience is there to pull us along, since we’re the younger group.”

Attitude is just one of a few factors that led to Pritzen becoming a Tiger this year. Pritzen spent three seasons as the goaltender at Clemson, but because she redshirted her freshman year, she completed her communication undergraduate studies with a year of eligibility left to play. 

Coincidentally, Missouri happened to be searching for another goalkeeper in case freshman recruit McKenzie Sauerwein could not join the team. Assistant coach Todd Shulenberger, who coached Pritzen previously at Clemson, said the transfer made sense for both parties.

"I mean, why not?” Shulenberger said. “She wants to be in journalism, and this is the best school in the country for journalism. The fact that Paula will be a fourth-year senior gives an opportunity for someone like her with experience in a tough conference like the ACC to come over here and give anything she’s learned to these young keepers.”

With the addition of Pritzen in net, the Tigers stand to have the best depth at the position in the Big 12. In the final two seasons at Clemson, Pritzen ranked in the top two in the ACC in both saves and save percentage. Thus far, Gwin has received the majority of the starts and leads the Big 12 in saves. The lack of playing time has not fazed the veteran Pritzen.

“It’s definitely a different role, but I’m embracing it,” Pritzen said. “I’m just trying to keep the team up and motivated in any way I can. So if that means pushing Jess and McKenzie in practice or being the vocal leader from the bench, I’m just doing what I can.”

Watching her play, it’s not difficult to figure out where Pritzen is. Her animated directions and vocal encouragement have become a trademark for her. Coach Bryan Blitz called it a voice of maturity, and Pritzen said it’s something she got used to over time.

“It’s a lot about experience,” Pritzen said. “When you’re younger, it’s hard to be a vocal leader. Especially with the 3-4-3 system we play here, it’s really important for the keepers to communicate with the backs and keep everybody up and motivated.”

Although Gwin looks to receive most of the starts, Shulenberger said it wouldn’t keep Prizten from making an impact.

“I mean, you watch the kid when she’s not playing, and she’s over on the sidelines instructing and communicating with her teammates,” Shulenberger said. “Whether she plays any more or doesn’t play at all, she’s going to be a presence for this team."

As for the relationship between the two goalies, Pritzen said there isn't any animosity between them because she's focused on helping the other keepers improve. Gwin said having a veteran goalie to lean on has been a great experience for her.

“There’s always tons to learn from older keepers," Gwin said. "They’ve seen so many more reps and so many more games. There’s always information I can get from her that I haven’t learned before. I love having her here, and I think the team is blessed to have her.”