Sept. 12, 2012
BERKELEY - For the California women's soccer team, the significance of the numbers sported ranges from soccer idols to superstitions to just being assigned it. Former Golden Bear Alex Morgan donned No. 13 in honor of Kristine Lilly. CalBears.com caught up with this year's footballers to find out why they chose their numbers.
No. 00 Emily Kruger -
I've worn 00 since I was 13. I just had to stick with it when I saw that it was available.
No. 0 Lauren Hein -
It's the number of goals I plan to allow in each game.
No. 2 Genessee Daughetee -
Honestly, just to try something new.
No. 3 Nina Pederson -
No. 3 is my lucky number. I have two younger sisters and with me that makes it three.
No. 4 Emi Lawson -
I've had the same number since I was five, so I wanted to end my soccer career with the same number I started it with.
No. 6 - Kaitlyn Fitzpatrick -
I was No. 9 growing up. Until my last few years of club, it was taken. So I flipped it upside down and took six. The No. 6 ended up growing on me and now I like it better, so I stuck with it in college.
No. 7 Rachel Mercik -
I used to be No. 20, starting as a freshman. But now that I had the choice, I am No. 7. Seven has always been my favorite number all through my life, so I am glad I am finally reunited with the No. 7 jersey.
No. 8 Amanda Glass -
I picked No. 8 because that was my number in high school. I had a very successful high school career with that number, so I decided to continue to wear No. 8 here at Cal.
No. 9 Mekenna DeBack -
I was No. 18 my freshmen and sophomore year at Cal because nine had been taken by an upperclassman, but that was the number I had been my entire soccer career. This year I was able to pick No. 9, which has been my lucky number ever since I was seven-years-old. I chose No. 9 because Mia Hamm was my idol. Of course like every little girl soccer player, I wanted to be just like her.
No. 10 Betsy Hassett -
I didn't get a choice. But I wear No. 12 when I play with the New Zealand national team!
No. 11 Sandra Ley -
There are only 11 spots on the field. I want to be a part of the starting 11 and make that difference.
No. 12 Samantha Walker -
I picked my number originally because it was the closest number available to my number prior to college.
No. 13 Celeste Boureille -
My old number was three, but it was taken so I chose No. 13.
No. 14 Karly Graf -
My number was given to me.
No. 15 Grace Leer -
When I was playing club I was No. 13, then in high school I was No. 5. So I decided to combine them in a way and make it 15.
No. 16 Lauren Battung -
Tiffeny Milbrett wore No. 16, and she was my favorite player growing up.
No. 17 Celeste Martore -
It was one of the only numbers left.
No. 18 Elliott Gentile -
I was assigned 18 when I was little, and it just stuck.
No. 19 Kory Lamet -
I picked my number because it was my number in high school, and I really like it.
No. 20 Samantha Witteman -
I picked my number because of all the options it was the closest to my usual number 26.
No. 21 Taylor Comeau -
My number is 21 because my birthday is on the 21st of July
No. 22 Ifeoma Onumonu -
The number I usually pick is taken. But No. 22 was one my best friend's number, and we were really close, so I thought why not.
No. 23 Ariana Martinez -
During my freshman year of high school, I randomly got 23. Ever since then it just stuck, and I haven't changed it. It's brought me some good memories.
No. 25 Kelsie Dickerson -
I wasn't very picky about my number. I didn't ask for a specific one.
No. 26 Kaitlin Dickmann -
It was given to me so I went with it.
No. 27 Lorin Hom -
I actually wasn't given a choice.
No. 55 Jenna Brennan -
I am the youngest of the four goalies on our team. The older three picked their numbers first, which were 00, 0, and 1. I was told to pick a number between 30 and 100. I decided on 55 because 5 is my lucky number and I figured 55 would be double as lucky.
