Blazing a Trail : Fawcett Wants to Be Wearing a Gold Medal When Women’s Soccer Debuts at Olympics

From her usual spot on the grass, Katelyn Rose Fawcett sits eye-level with thundering cleats and muscular legs.

This perspective gives her an interesting take on what “mommy” means.

Fawcett is 2 and the daughter of Joy Fawcett, a U.S. national soccer team member and coach at UCLA.

Fawcett, originally from Huntington Beach, embodies an issue that is rarely discussed in athletics--motherhood. She also is looking forward to leading the United States this summer when the sport makes its inaugural appearance in the Olympics.

The dual tasks of raising a child and pioneering new paths for women’s soccer require an almost inexhaustible energy source.

Through her seventh month of pregnancy, Fawcett ran two miles, three times a week. She also continued step aerobics through her ninth month.

“I wanted to have [Katelyn] on time so I could get back [to training]. I thought maybe [exercising] would help. It didn’t,” she said.

Katelyn accompanies Fawcett, 28, to almost every practice for the U.S. national team. A trainer or teammates watch Katelyn during practices and games.

“[U.S. Coach Tony DiCicco] has been really good about it and [so has] everyone on the team. It has been really helpful,” Fawcett said.

The U.S. team is staying at the Arco Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista this week while preparing for an exhibition game against the Netherlands at 7 p.m. Saturday at Cal State Fullerton. The training center does not allow children--or anyone who is not an athlete or a member of an athletic delegation--to stay in the center’s apartments.

Because of this rule, Fawcett drove to Huntington Beach after the team’s plane landed in San Diego Monday night to drop off Katelyn at Fawcett’s parents’ house. Fawcett stayed overnight then hurried to Chula Vista for Tuesday’s 10 a.m. practice.

Fawcett’s husband, Walter, travels often for his job in the computer industry but tries to make his home base wherever Joy is. They own a home in Foothill Ranch, where they live during the college season when Fawcett coaches UCLA. They also own a home near Orlando, where Fawcett trains with the U.S. team at the Seminole County Sports Training Center.

“In Florida, we try to make it as home-like as possible. I’m lucky because I have my daughter and my husband is there more than most,” Fawcett said. “It’s a small sacrifice for what we’re doing.”

The national team’s 22-woman roster will be cut to 16 by June 19, when it officially becomes the U.S. Olympic team. The United States is a favorite to win the gold medal after winning the 1991 World Championship in China and finishing third behind Norway and Germany in the 1995 world championships in Sweden.

The opportunity for an Olympic medal inspired many of the U.S. team’s veterans to continue playing instead of retiring after last year.

“We had been through two [world championships]. All of a sudden, a gold medal was there. It’s something we’ve all dreamed about as kids,” Fawcett said.

For Fawcett, it seems as if there are few dreams left to attain in soccer. She is in her ninth year with the U.S. national team and was named U.S. Soccer’s female athlete of the year in 1988. She was one of two players to play every minute of the United States’ six games in the 1995 world championships and is considered one of the best defenders in the world.

Fawcett’s appearance at Cal State Fullerton on Saturday will be a homecoming--she attended high school at nearby Edison.

“Half the [friends and family] haven’t seen me play,” she said. “It’ll be fun. Let’s hope I play well. The pressure is on.”

Fawcett, formerly Joy Biefeld, led the Chargers to four consecutive Sunset League titles and to the 1986 Southern Section Division 4-A co-championship with Mission Viejo.

Among her nine brothers and sisters--who all attended Edison--is Eric Biefeld, who helped UCLA to its first NCAA soccer title in 1985. Fawcett was a three-time All-American at California from 1987-89.

Fawcett was named UCLA’s first women’s soccer coach in 1993 and has built the program quickly. Last season, the Bruins finished 14-4-2 and advanced to the NCAA tournament for the first time.

Fawcett has never been one to balk at effort. She hinted, however, she might channel her energy differently after the Olympics.

“I’m not going to officially retire. We’ll see how things go. But other things will be a priority,” she said, adding that she would like to have more children and continue coaching at UCLA.

There is an enticing prospect, however, that might keep Fawcett in a player’s uniform a bit longer--the United States is expected to host the next women’s World Championships in 1999. Fawcett would have a hard time attending as a spectator.

“I don’t doubt whether [the United States team] will be there,” she said. “It’s just whether my body can hold up.”

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Women’s Soccer at Fullerton

What: U.S. national women’s soccer team vs. the Netherlands

When: 7 p.m., Saturday

Where: Titan Stadium, Cal State Fullerton

Tickets: $15 for premium reserved seats, $10 reserved. Available at stadium only.