Very versatile player . . . can play both the defender or midfielder positions . . . one of the smartest players on the team . . . always puts herself in good spots on the field . . . sees the flow of the game and can read the things in front of her quickly . . . has the ability to create offensive chances from the back line.

2005 (junior): Logged significant playing time in 20 of the Bulldogs' 23 matches . . . came up from her defensive position to record the second assist of her college career in a 3-0 victory over Wofford Aug. 26 . . . scored on a penalty kick to help Samford advance past No. 19 Vanderbilt in the NCAA Tournament Nov. 11. . . also scored a critical penalty kick in the semifinal round of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament against Murray State Nov. 4 . . . played a key role in the team's defensive system that finished the season ranked first in the OVC in both goals-against average (0.54) and shutouts (12) . . . member of the Athletic Department's 3.0 Club for finishing the year with a grade point average between 3.0 and 3.49 . . . earned her third varsity letter.

2004 (sophomore): Earned time in 17 of the team's 18 matches and started in two contests . . . played a contributing role in Samford's defense that was ranked 13th in the nation in shutout percentage (.560) . . . took only one shot on the season in the Bulldogs' 2-0 victory against Troy Sept. 14 . . . earned her second varsity letter.

2003 (freshman): Saw action in 19 matches as a true freshman . . . contributed in the Bulldogs' defense that was ranked ninth in the country in shutout percentage (.619) and tied for fourth nationally with 13 team shutouts . . . team finished with a 6-2-2 record in her 10 starts as a defender . . . earned her first varsity letter.

High School: Captained Carmel High School to three straight Indiana State Championships and a No. 1 national ranking . . . was an All-Indiana player in 2002 . . . played club ball for the Carmel Cobras, which has won six straight state championships . . . also lettered in basketball and track.

Personal: Full name is Shay Catherine Helmbock . . . born Sept. 9, 1984 . . . daughter of Thomas and Daryl Helmbock . . . twin sister, Lindsey, also attends Samford . . . father played football at Evansville . . . majoring in elementary education.

ONE-ON-ONE WITH HELMBOCK
Most memorable moment in athletics: Making it to second round of NCAA Tournament
Favorite place to eat: California Pizza Kitchen
Favorite movie: Big Daddy
Favorite TV show: Price is Right
Favorite cartoon characters: X-Men

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

My favorite Samford memory:
My best memory is kicking a penalty kick to help Samford advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. I remember Vanderbilt's goalkeeper telling me that her heart was racing really fast and that she was so nervous. I just laughed to myself because I think that we both knew they were going to lose.

One thing I'll miss the most about Samford soccer:
I will miss how comfortable I feel with the team and how I can be myself when I'm around my teammates. I could not have asked for better coaches or girls to spend so much time with. God's love is really shown on this team and I felt it the first day I arrived here at Samford.

The most important thing I could tell freshmen about college life and playing soccer is:
Live it up!! You only get four years to live life to the fullest. Take advantage of every opportunity and cherish each moment, because they will be gone before you know it. Balance your time well with all of your school work and social life - it is possible to have one and play soccer at the same time. Take every moment in and do not take anything for granted because it could all be taken away from you in an instant.