Nobody understands the development of a new varsity program and the growing pains during its inaugural season better than the coaches and players.

The season began in the summer with stiff work out regimens to whip students into fine-tuned Division I soccer players.

Training ranged from the 6 a.m. "Breakfast Club" conditioning drills, to three-a-day practice sessions and the mental, physical and emotional strain associated with the demand to sacrifice self and unify a team as one heartbeat functioning as one unit.

Only a few coaches and players have experienced such a challenging construction, but Tech's soccer coaches and players are in the midst of just that.

However, after being winless through their first eight games of the 2004 inaugural season, the climax of the Lady Techsters' frustration and search for their first goal suddenly dissipated, as freshman forward LaShaundra Hildreth scored Tech's first-ever goal to put Tech on top of Belhaven College 1-0 on Oct. 15.

The crowd of 275 fans roared in excitement as the Lady Techsters formed a "mosh pit" in the middle of the field.

All of the hard work, sacrifice, time and effort rapidly reached a priceless moment, and the individual doubts quickly became a newly formed unified purpose.

Then, only one minute and nine seconds after her first goal, Hildreth ignited the crowd again with a rocket from the right side of the field all the way into the upper-left corner of the nets.

The Lady Techsters took a 2-0 lead over Belhaven College, but the Blazers fought back to tie the score and end the contest with a tie.

However, Tech's soccer squad had found new life. A new passion with a greater vision burns inside the Lady Techsters' hearts, and now they have a greater understanding of the road they are paving for Tech soccer.

Along with the mental, physical and emotional strain, the Lady Techsters have endured hardships such as loss of players due to injury and a limited 15-player roster.

Regardless, this is Division I soccer, and it's time to either cook or get out of the kitchen.

Led by transfers Hildreth, Keona Collins, Julie Hadzic and goalkeeper Jade Berbert, the Lady Techsters have responded in the face of adversity and risen to the challenge.

These are the builders of the road to success, and the Lady Techsters need your support, as with all of Tech's varsity sports.

The Lady Techsters have finished their slate for home games, but you can still show your support by attending practice sessions and encouraging the team.

Be proud of your soccer team. The Lady Techsters are representing Tech well and fighting to establish a winning program.

Josh Milton is a junior journalism major from Ruston and serves as sports editor for The Tech Talk.