The 2012 Ducks soccer team boasts an impressive bunch of freshman this year. Two of the more notable recruits are Kristen Parr and Maryn Beutler. Both were highly touted players out of Bend, Ore., who had been playing against each other since they were in the 5th grade. They went to rival high schools, Parr to Summit High and Beutler to Bend Senior, and played club soccer together for the Oregon Rush. @@names: http://www.goducks.com/SportSelect.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=500&SPID=237&SPSID=4315@@
Both Beutler and Parr have become ingrained in the Ducks’ success this year with Parr netting a team-high six goals and Beutler with a goal and an assist. With the two having played against and with each other for nine years, their chemistry should carry over to the collegiate level.
The two made their mark on Oregon high school soccer with Beutler’s Lava Bears winning 5A State Championship titles in 2008 and 2009 after sending Summit High home both years in the semifinals, and Parr’s Storm winning in 2010 on a goal assisted by Parr in the 68th minute. @@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=4315&SPID=237&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=205562362&Q_SEASON=2012@@ @@http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=4315&SPID=237&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=205562263&Q_SEASON=2012@@
The two also excelled in the classroom as well as on the pitch with both earning 3.9 GPAs. With the natural competitive nature instilled in collegiate athletes, there is usually an element that fuels them. Oftentimes, it comes in the form of a rival player. That may have been the case with these two, but surprisingly enough, they weren’t each other’s motivation.
“We aren’t like that,” Beutler said of her relationship with Parr, “I’m like that with other girls but not with Kristen. It was always, ‘Oh, its Kristen and Maryn, how is that going to work?’ but it was never that big of a deal.”
“It was never really between us,” Parr agreed, “Other players did, but it wasn’t like that with us.”
The chemistry between the two that was built over their years playing for the Rush is obvious on and off the field. They hang out regularly and help each other adjust to the new life of being a college student.
With both being freshman, Duck fans have years to watch these two mature as players and try to push Ducks soccer into national relevance.