Senior forward Beth Liesen was not always a top scoring threat. She hasn’t always been the go-to person on the offensive side. And she hasn’t always put fear into opposing goalkeepers.

Liesen didn’t begin playing forward until she was in high school, but the move from the midfield to up top may have been the best any coach has made.

“I started playing forward when I was in high school,” Liesen said. “I was thrown in as a forward and ever since then, coaches have wanted to put me up there.”

Coaches make that decision for obvious reasons. All Liesen did at Notre Dame High School in Quincy was tie for second all-time in career goals among Illinois players with 169 and goals in a season with 59.

At Eastern, Liesen has also worked her way into record books. In last Friday’s game against Western Illinois, she scored two goals giving her 44 for her career, surpassing Tracie Strother (95-98).

This has earned Liesen this week’s Top Cat.

Liesen doesn’t credit her long list of accomplishments entirely to her own feet, but also to those of her teammates.

“Getting the record really came from being part of the team,” Liesen said. “It’s nothing I do by myself. I really am lucky to play with all the players on this team. They deserve this as much as I do.”

Practice also makes perfect. Head coach Steve Ballard designates a portion of practice time toward shooting drills.

“Coach always has us out there for 30 minutes in practice,” Liesen said. “We spend a lot of time working on shooting.”

Though scoring a goal can be an exciting feat for anyone at any age level, what brings Liesen the most excitement is her team’s achievements.

Success has followed the Eastern forward during her entire soccer career. Liesen led her team to a fourth place state finish her senior year and was a part of her high school’s state champion volleyball team in 1998.

She has also been a part of two of the most successful teams in Eastern history as the Panthers have been to the NCAA tournament for the past two seasons.

Liesen said this year’s team may be the best she has played on.

“Potentially I do believe so,” Liesen said. “Everyone out on the field is an attacker. “We have a lot of speed and lot of depth on this team. We have clicked so far this season.”

Once again expectations are high for two-time conference tournament champions, but Liesen knows what her team is capable of doing even better than just an appearance in the NCAA tournament. The Panthers nearly reached the second round last season, but fell in penalty kicks to Purdue.

“I think that has a lot do to with how everyone is striving to be better,” Liesen said. “We were so close last year so we know it’s not unthinkable.”

Sports Editor Matt Williams can be reached at [email protected]