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Soccer player's dream delayed by back injury

Resuming her professional career remains Robin Confer's top goal.

By RODNEY PAGE

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 9, 2001

Robin Confer's soccer resume was just about complete. She was a prep All-American at Clearwater Central Catholic, played on national championship teams at North Carolina and even had her jersey (No. 7) retired by the Tar Heels.

She also made eight appearances with the U.S. national team, but she didn't make the World Cup squad with veteran forwards Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Tiffeny Millbrett ahead of her.

The one thing missing from her resume was "professional soccer player." Sure, she banged around in the W-League, a minor league for women. She played a year with the Raleigh Wings and two with the New Jersey Stallions. But that was for little or no pay and even less recognition.

"(North Carolina coach) Anson (Dorrance) kept telling me that I'd be able to make a living at this one day," Confer said. "I didn't know what he was talking about."

Then along came the Women's United Soccer Association, the first-ever Division I women's professional league. The eight-team league began play in April.

It was perfect for Confer, who at 25 still had plenty of game but needed a showcase. Confer was selected in the fifth round (37th overall) by the Boston Breakers.

Her dream was finally a reality.

It lasted 45 minutes.

Confer played the entire second half of the Breakers' season opener against Carolina, a 1-0 win. She felt pain in her lower back but thought it would go away. She flew with her teammates to San Diego for the Breakers' second game, but during warmups her back never got better.

She sat out the game, flew to Boston and had her back examined. For a while, she felt better, but when she stepped up her training the pain resurfaced. It got so bad at one point that her left leg became numb. She spent a week in bed.

Finally, the only option was surgery. On July 5, Confer had an operation to repair a herniated disc in the L-5 vertebrae. Her season is over.

"I've never missed a game for an injury ever," Confer said. "I broke my thumb once but I still played. It's pretty hard because this is the first year of the league and I really wanted to play. I was so excited to play in that first game, but then it just got worse. Things happen for a reason. At least that's what I keep telling myself to stay positive."

Confer has usually had plenty of reasons to stay positive. She was always the leading scorer on her youth club teams. She broke into CCC's starting lineup as a freshman and started scoring immediately.

After four years with the Marauders, Confer had 227 goals and helped CCC to its first-ever state championship in 1992-93. In her senior year, Confer scored 80 goals and had 27 assists and was named Florida's 1994 player of the year.

"Best female soccer player I've ever seen come through here," longtime CCC athletic director Bob Cotter said. "She was just a pure athlete. There was one time when I was coaching the JV basketball team and it was raining and the soccer team had to come in. She grabbed a basketball and hit three of five three-pointers just like that. I mean she was a great athlete."

North Carolina, the top college soccer program in the country, noticed. Confer barely skipped a beat. She played four years for the Tar Heels, scored 77 goals and had 209 career points. In her senior year, she scored the winning goal in the championship against Connecticut.

It all seemed so easy. Confer was always able to adjust despite the improved level of play.

"From high school to college there was a strength issue," Confer said. "I never worked out or anything in high school. And then there was the mental part of it. Then from college to pro, there was the speed of play. It's much quicker. In college, there's maybe six or seven really good teams. Here, all eight teams are good. These are the best players in the world. It challenges you every day."

Now comes a new challenge. Confer remains in Boston, where she is working with team trainers. Next month she will go to College Station, Texas, where she will be a volunteer coach at Texas A&M. For the past two seasons, Confer was an assistant coach at Texas A&M before joining the WUSA.

She is unable to exercise, except for walking, at this stage. Eventually, she hopes to start jogging and getting back into shape.

"It's difficult because I'm always used to doing something," Confer said. "I've always been active, playing sports and competing. It's hard not being able to compete."

Confer figured to contribute in Boston. The Breakers are 7-10-3 and out of playoff contention.

"She was definitely in our plans," Boston coach Jay Hoffman said. "She has a great history as a goal scorer, the kind of player that can get behind the defense. She brought a lot to the table. It's difficult to replace a player like her.

"We tried everything we could to get her playing again, but in the end it wasn't worth risking her health down the road just to play this season. It was best to get the surgery and have her back next year. She's still in our plans for next year, absolutely."

Soccer is the only job Confer has ever wanted. When her playing career ends, she plans to become a coach, at the collegiate level. But she doesn't plan to quit her day job.

"It hasn't been fun, but Boston's been great," she said. "I mean, I get home from the surgery and there's a paycheck in the mail, so that's nice. Being a professional soccer player is the greatest job in the world. You work hard for a couple hours a day and then you have the rest of the time to enjoy Boston. I'm not complaining."

MEET ROBIN CONFER

AGE: 25.

RESIDENCE: Boston.

TEAM: Boston Breakers (WUSA). She is out for the season with a herniated disc in her lower back.

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Clearwater Central Catholic, where she was a three-time all-state selection and the 1994 Florida Prep Player of the Year and a Parade All-American. She holds state records with 227 goals and 103 assists (557 pts.) Also played softball and ran track.

COLLEGE: Played at North Carolina from 1994-97. Played in a UNC-record 107 games and became the first one to play in 100 career NCAA wins. Finished with 77 career goals, fifth on the school's all-time list. Had her jersey (No. 7) retired.

PROFESSIONAL: In 1998, played for the Raleigh Wings of the W-League. In 1999-2000, played for the New Jersey Stallions of the W-League. Was selected in the fifth round (37th overall) by the Boston Breakers of WUSA.

NATIONAL TEAM: Has eight caps (appearances) since her debut on Jan. 18, 1996. Did not make the 1999 World Cup team.

PERSONAL: Majored in exercise and sports science at UNC. Was formerly an assistant coach at Texas A&M and will be a volunteer assistant for the Aggies this fall. Plans to coach when her playing career is over. Her parents live in Tampa. Favorite non-soccer athlete is Mario Lemieux and her favorite actor is Robin Williams.

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