Soccer - #13 Tara Budnick

Western Carolina women's soccer kicked off the 2013 campaign on Aug 7th with their first preseason practice of 2013.

The Catamounts return 20 players from the 2012 squad, including five seniors and 10 juniors. The Cats also welcome 10 newcomers to the squad, nine freshmen and a sophomore transfer. 

Today we'll continue with the Catamount juniors

#13 Tara Budnick

Class: Junior
Hometown: Irvine, Calif.
High School: Northwood HS
Height: 5-8
Position: D
Club Team: Irvine Strikers




2012 (Sophomore): Played and started in 14 games ... Took four shots, two on goal.

2011 (Freshman): Played and stared in all 20 matches ... Scored three goals, including the final goal of the season for the Catamounts logging the lone goal for Western Carolina in the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference Tournament against Samford ... Ended the year with six points and took seven shots ... Also had one game-winning goal against Wofford, securing a two overtime, 2-1, victory over the Terriers.

High School: Has been successful at both the club and high school level ... Her club team was the CSL League Cup Semi-Finalists and US Club Soccer Regional Champions ... At the high school level, Tara has competed on varsity squad all four years ... As a sophomore, she made 1st Team All-Sea View League and was named varsity Defensive Player of the Year ... Her junior year she made 2nd Team All-Sea View League, and was once again awarded Defensive Player of the Year ... Budnick helped lead Northwood High School to a league Championship when she was only a freshman; not to mention back-to-back 2nd place league finishes as a sophomore and junior.

Personal: Daughter of Tom and Jackie Budnick ... Has an older sister Taylor ... Playing collegiate sports is nothing new for Tara's family, her grandfather played football at St. Joseph's College, her uncle played baseball at the University of Detroit then went on to play with the Kansas City Royals, and her father played hockey at USAFA and Michigan State ... While at Western Carolina, Tara plans on pursuing a degree in either psychology or exercise science.

Courtesy WCU Athletics Media Relations