Domenique Lainez and her mother are close.
Despite a busy schedule, hectic life and being separated by a state line, Lainez often makes time to talk to her mother. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“She’s one of my best friends,” Lainez said.
“My mom has taught me: You really have to be your own individual. It doesn’t matter what anybody tells you, because a lot of people are going to try and discourage you. It’s up to you if you are going to be able to succeed.”
Lainez works day in and day out to be successful as the starting goalkeeper for the Oregon women’s soccer team.
But it has been a difficult road for the redshirt sophomore. Lainez has been mostly relegated to the bench with injuries for three years previous to this season.
Lainez, an avid soccer player since she was 8, came to Oregon while recovering from a broken foot and recurring knee injuries suffered during her final two seasons of high school at St. Ignatius Prep. The San Bruno, Calif. native played 75 minutes in her first year at Oregon and redshirted last year due to an ankle injury.
Now she’s back. And 14 games into the season, Lainez has recorded 62 saves and holds a 2.14 goals against average. But mostly, she has seen greater self improvement.
“I worked a lot during the summer and my play has significantly improved since spring of last year,” she said. “A lot of that has to due with getting the confidence of going out there and playing in games.”
Her teammates have seen the improvements as well.
“She’s an extremely hard worker and dedicated to soccer,” redshirt junior Dara Wone said. “On the field she is a good leader for this team. As a defender, I feel really confident having her behind me.”
Lainez remembers the feeling of her first home game this season when her name was announced as the starter. Lainez had told junior Christine Mintz, “I wish my mom was there for that moment.”
Soccer has been a family affair for Lainez ever since she was young. She began playing in an under 12 team when she was 8. Lainez was coached by her father for six years from elementary school through 8th grade.
Lainez’s most memorable experience was as a sophomore when her sister, Lucia Lainez — a junior at the time — and she were playing in a tournament. The referee made the mistake of letting the game go two minutes past regulation without checking his watch, according to Lainez.
In those last two minutes, Domenique Lainez got scored on, and her team lost. She remembers crying and her sister comforting her.
“I just remember her saying ‘you played great,’” she said. “I just remember her putting her hand around my shoulders and saying ‘it’s all right.’”
On the field, she seems to be able to cover all areas. Off the field, she is just busy. Lainez is a member of the Chi Omega sorority and serves as the soccer representative for the Student Athlete Advisory Council, which focuses on community service.
“She wants to do her best in everything,” Wone said. “She’s got a lot of determination. She’s got a lot of energy. That’s just her character.”
Lainez describes her character as ambitious, involved and determined. But beyond that, she always strives to be different.
“She could become a great leader,” former Oregon goalkeeper Sarah Peters said. “She’s already got the position part down. That’s a huge part of becoming a leader.”
Lainez will look to lead her team this weekend in Oregon’s first Pacific-10 Conference homestand. Oregon (7-7 overall, 1-3 Pac-10) faces Stanford on Friday and California on Sunday at Papé Field.
For Lainez, this weekend means something extra. Her mother, Gloria Lainez, will be in attendance. It will be her mother’s first ever trip to watch her play at Papé Field.
“I want my mom to be proud of me,” Domenique Lainez said.
When asked if she’s proud of her daughter, a boastful mother said: “Oh absolutely. That’s in capital letters. She’s one to be admired. She never gives up.”