She plays soccer with enough tenacity and vigor for a whole squad. A product of East Aurora, N.Y., women's soccer star Natalia Crofut is the consummate teammate.
Referred to as "Tal" by her teammates, Crofut remains humble in her demeanor and is quick to credit her surrounding cast as the reason she is ranked eighth all-time in team history for goals and points scored.
"It's pretty cool. I never really expected it," Crofut said, referring to her status among the most elite in the school's history. "But, if you're not a team player it's hard to win. You can't do everything yourself."
Crofut's durability and consistency as a forward and midfielder has resulted in her garnering 10 or more points in each of her first three seasons for the Bulls. She is well on her way to making it four straight this season with seven points already in the 2005 campaign. Her consistency is a result of hard work and relentless motivation.
"I'm practicing hard even in the off-season, continually trying to improve myself," Crofut said. "The competitive aspect in me keeps me going on the field, wanting to win and not wanting to fail my teammates. It's for the love of the sport."
Crofut, a senior English major, has played soccer for 13 years. A strong foundation set by her family has helped her reach her level of success. Crofut's accolades, beginning with her youth soccer days to her record-breaking years at Iroquois High School and her continuing success with the Bulls, have all been a result of the family support from her 16-year-old brother Ben, and her parents Chuck and Nance Crofut.
"My parents are both awesome and supportive," Crofut said. "They come to all of my games."
In her four years with the Bulls, Crofut has picked up the intricacies of the game that have allowed her to become a leader and a force on the women's soccer team.
"Yes, on the field, as the senior, having what the players of the past have taught me," Crofut said when asked if she considered herself a leader.
Crofut knows what it takes to motivate the team when they need it, banking on her actions-speak-louder-than-words philosophy.
"When we're down and need a boost, I push myself harder to chase down that ball," Crofut said.
Currently, Crofut is tied for fifth in the Mid-American Conference in points and fourth in goals. When asked about her ambitions, Crofut made it clear that all individual statistics take a backseat to the team's success in the MAC.
"The number one goal is to be MAC champs," Crofut said. "Once you take the MAC, you're in the playoffs and then we'll go from there."
Academically, Crofut is looking to get a graduate degree in education and possibly move into administration with the hopes of becoming a school principal. She has taken courses abroad and is entertaining the thought of maybe someday playing women's soccer professionally.
"I studied in England last semester. The game is not as competitive over there," Crofut said. "It's kind of intriguing to go play with them."
There is more to Crofut than soccer. She is an avid snowboarder in the Buffalo winters and enjoys going to movies and hanging out with friends. She finds it hard to make time for these activities as a collegiate athlete.
"It is important to be good at time management," she said. "You're always traveling and having to catch up on classes. I'm balancing work, practice, games and homework."
When the time is available, Crofut likes to listen to music from all different genres including rock, hip-hop and country.
"I'm pretty much all over the board," Crofut said.
The one certainty though is her favorite food, which ironically may describe this fiery soccer player's game.
"Mexican, definitely," Crofut said. "I like it spicy."
Crofut now looks to help spice up the Bulls' record of 2-4-1 this weekend as Buffalo begins the MAC portion of its schedule. Crofut and the Bulls play at home Friday night at 7 p.m. versus Miami (Ohio) and Sunday at noon against Ball State.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
