High school soccer pals reunite at ASU

  • Jeremy Cluff
  • The Arizona Republic
  • Aug. 28, 2007 03:10 PM

  • Alexandra Elston and Erica Long's chemistry on the soccer field long tormented opposing defenses at the club and high school levels.
  • But the two aren't done yet.
  • The Ahwatukee natives, who both graduated from Mountain Pointe High in the spring, hope to continue their tradition of success as freshmen on the Arizona State soccer team, which starts its season Friday against Idaho State in Las Vegas.
  • Elston, a midfielder, and Long, a forward, will begin the season as starters for ASU.
  • "It's definitely nice to have somebody right there that I've known for so long," Elston said. "It's always seemed like it has given us an edge. I know how she plays."
  • Elston and Long led Mountain Pointe to a second-place finish in the Class 5A Division I girls soccer tournament as juniors.
  • Last season as seniors, they led the team to a state semifinal appearance, both earning Arizona Republic All-Arizona selections.
  • The two also excelled as longtime members of the Tempe-based '89 Ladybugs club team.
  • "We've played together ever since we've played soccer," Long said. "Being with her is amazing because we know exactly how each other thinks. It should help us out a lot this season."
  • The two are expected to play important roles for their new team this season.
  • ASU finished 8-8-3 in 2006 under Ray Leone, who left the program in late February for the same position at Harvard.
  • Kevin Boyd, who previously coached at the University of California, became head coach in late March.
  • Boyd has been impressed enough with the duo to pencil them in as starters over more seasoned players.
  • "Alexandra is just an incredible passer of the ball," Boyd said. "She has great vision, waits her ball right and she slips balls through that people wouldn't normally pick out. There aren't many players out there that have what she has.
  • "Erica has tremendous speed and athleticism, and she has a knack for getting in behind other teams. She reads Alexandra well because she has played with her for a long time now. She'll be dangerous.
  • "They have done very well."
  • Not all has gone according to plan for the duo entering their first season of Division I soccer.
  • Both Elston and Long said it took time to adjust to all aspects of college life, including the increased school load off the field and the rigorous practices and harder level of play on the field.
  • "It's a lot different from anything I've ever experienced," Elston said. "I'm really excited to get the season started and get going into it. I'm just trying to pick up everything and hopefully add something to the program."
  • Long said: "I'm just going to go out there and play my best like I always do, and hopefully that will lead to good things. I know Alexandra is there for me too, so we can do it together."