Sept. 1, 2006
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -
Dan Sperl, WWU Sports Information
When Western Washington University freshman Nick Saletto stepped out onto the field for the first day of pre-season soccer practice, he did so with a sense of security not normally associated with a first-year athlete fresh out of high school.
Partly because Saletto, a product of Bellingham's Squalicum High School, had grown up in the shadow of the campus on Sehome Hill and partly because of a strong relationship he shares with his sister, Rachelle, a talented sophomore midfielder on the Viking women's team.
"It's nice having her here," Saletto said. "It gave me an opportunity to meet the coaches and the guys on the team before I got here. Knowing that we have a great group here really helped me feel comfortable from the beginning."
The Salettos are one of two sets of siblings on the Western soccer rosters. The other is Gus and Rosie Zadra of Poulsbo, helping to further foster a close-knit, competitive family-like relationship between the two teams.
"Rachelle and I have always been competitive," Saletto said. "We're only 20 months apart, so we've gotten closer as we've grown older. It's nice to have each other here for support, but we'll always be competitive on the field and that helps us to get better."
The sibling rivalries have paid early-season dividends for the Vikings. . Nick scored in his first collegiate game, a 2-1 loss at Humboldt State, while playing forward, an unfamiliar position to the former high school defender. Rachelle is eager to return to the form that saw her score one goal and assist on three others during the 2004 campaign. She redshirted last year because of an injury.
"In every practice, every game they play, they are just so competitive," said Travis Connell, who coaches both teams. "It bleeds through to the rest of the team, and is a real catalyst for us."
Last year, the Zadras pushed each other to All Great Northwest Athletic Conference heights. Gus earned All-GNAC honorable mention, while sister Rosie, who first visited Western on Gus's recommendation, one-upped her brother and was named GNAC rookie of the year, while collecting a spot on the all-conference second-team.
"I know I'm glad she's here," Gus Zadra said. "I made her come up to visit and she liked it. It's been a good fit."
Connell is glad too. Rosie collected an assist in a 5-0 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay, as the women's team improved to 2-0-0.
"Having those relationships really helps both teams get along so well off the field." Connell said. "That's an important intangible because they are around each other so much."
The foursome has combined to score 14 goals and 43 points for Western in their careers; tangible numbers which should provide comfort and a strong sense of security for anyone wearing, or rooting for, the Viking blue this season.
