Sophomore in star role

Saturday the Husky soccer team played on a snow laden field, defeating the Bemidji State Beavers with 2-1 victory with Alexandra Pafko assisting the first goal and scoring the winning goal.

“Alex is one of the best in the game,” said head coach Rebecca Heiberger, "she has been doing well since the off-season. She is very dangerous, very competitive, she works hard and she is a leader out there. She is invaluable, finishing opportunities for the team. She is willing to do whatever it takes.”

Pafko has five assists and eight goals on the season scoring 21 points overall this fall.

“We can’t overlook any games,” Pafko said, “Playing good teams like Bemidji State and Minnesota Duluth this weekend will be tough. We are getting ready for both teams in our morning practices."

“Cold weather doesn’t bother me. We practice in the mornings so we are used to colder weather when we are on the field during afternoon games.”

Pafko, a sophomore forward, hails from Blaine, Minn. where she started playing soccer.

“I play for the love of the game,” Pafko said, “Ever since I can remember I have been competing with my sister in the backyard. We would juggle, shoot and pass with our dad or by ourselves."

"I can feel when my sister isn’t on the field. I feel her missing. She is always there. I do like playing with her more than not. My sister came here and this was one of the schools that wanted me to come play soccer for them. They have my program and soccer. That is good enough for me,”

Pafko’s sister, Jessica Pafko is one year older than Alexandra. Jessica Pafko is a defender for the Huskies.

“We just became used to playing with each other,” said Alexandra Pafko.

“We played separately during the summer and I could feel that she wasn’t on the field. We came back and picked it up where we left off. It is a confidence builder to play with her.”

Pafko loves the thrill of soccer. She played soccer, basketball and ran track in high school before coming to St. Cloud State.

“I love all sports,” Pafko said. “It is something about soccer that I just love. To score a goal is indescribable. Soccer is physical, aggressive and the speed of the game is
always moving.”

Pafko has been the biggest offensive production the Huskies have seen since Trista Cooke had 10 goals in 2006.

“There isn’t a lot of games that stand out to me,” Pafko said, "although there are certain games that you do hold to heart. Beating Mankato earlier this season was a great feeling. I remember the hog pile at the end of the game and we hadn’t beat Mankato in about six years. When we beat Mankato is was huge confidence builder and it showed our team that we actually are better then at the beginning of the season.

“Another game was last year when we were playing Duluth. We were down at halftime 2-0. In the second half we tied it at 2-2 and went on to win in overtime 3-2. ”

Coach Heiberger has always been supportive of her team as well as Pafko.

“Heiberger brings a lot for this team,” Pafko said, “she is the type of coach that can have fun, but we get down to business. I have leaned a lot from her about movement with the ball and finishing opportunities.

“When we became No. 1 in the NSIC she didn’t even mention it walking into the next day. She didn’t act different and she didn’t coach different. She was trying to keep our heads level and prepared for that day.”