HILL IS CLIMBING SOCCER MOUNTAINS.Byline: KAREN CROUSE Laurie Hill Laurie Hill was a short-lived sitcom that ran on ABC in 1992. It starred DeLane Matthews as Laurie, a pediatrician who tried balancing her roles as a doctor and a mother to her son Leo. Her husband Jeff was a writer who worked out of their home. is using this year to serve her mission. She isn't Mormon, mind you, just Mexican on her mother's side. The West L.A. resident's dual citizenship set into motion a sequence of events that steered her to Mexico City Mexico City Spanish Ciudad de México City (pop., 2000: city, 8,605,239; 2003 metro. area est., 18,660,000), capital of Mexico. Located at an elevation of 7,350 ft (2,240 m), it is officially coterminous with the Federal District, which occupies 571 sq mi recently, where she managed to convert at least one man into a fan of women's soccer. The way Hill did it speaks of the success already enjoyed by the makeshift Mexican squad that will compete in the Women's World Cup The Women's World Cup could refer to either the:
The Mexican team, which features 10 players who grew up playing soccer on the U.S. club and college scene, was ensconced en·sconce tr.v. en·sconced, en·sconc·ing, en·sconc·es 1. To settle (oneself) securely or comfortably: She ensconced herself in an armchair. 2. in the same soccer facility routinely used by the top male players in Mexico. A pair of policemen patrolled the grounds and Hill conversed with them in Spanish every day. Toward the end of the team's stay, one of the policemen told Hill how much her geniality gen·ial 1 adj. 1. Having a pleasant or friendly disposition or manner. See Synonyms at gracious. 2. Conducive to life, growth, or comfort; mild: "the genial sunshine . . . meant to him. She wasn't like some of the top male players, he explained, who wear an air of superiority borne of years of being coddled and ogled and adored. He could relate to her, even if her background was decidedly different. At that moment, Hill, 29, knew her mission wasn't impossible. That's not to suggest it has been easy, winning converts to women's soccer. Sure, the sport is Mexico's national pastime. Alas, chauvinism chauvinism (shō`vənĭzəm), word derived from the name of Nicolas Chauvin, a soldier of the First French Empire. Used first for a passionate admiration of Napoleon, it now expresses exaggerated and aggressive nationalism. runs a close second. ``Mexico is more male-dominated,'' was Hill's diplomatic way of explaining the cultural divide that awaited her south of the border. The 5-foot-1 midfielder and her teammates have been waging a counterattack Attacking an attacker. Even though a criminal hacker or other agent is attempting to penetrate a security perimeter or damage systems, the counterattack must not violate applicable laws. on two fronts, trying to narrow the gap between Mexico and the world's powers in women's soccer while also working tirelessly to bridge the country's gender gap in the sport. ``It's not just an avenue to the World Cup for us,'' said Hill, who studied biology at UC Santa Barbara Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. and has deferred nursing school for a year. ``There's more meaning to it than that. Most people we've come across in Mexico have never seen women play soccer. The women's program is a whole new territory for them. We want to open people's eyes.'' They wouldn't be true missionaries if they didn't have to make do without certain creature comforts. When the team first assembled, it didn't have a doctor or trainer and the players had to wash their uniforms in sinks. Money, Hill said ``is always an issue.'' The support, she said, ``could be better.'' Understand this: Hill, 29, isn't complaining. Not even close. Since Mexico became the first Spanish-speaking country to qualify for the Women's World Cup this past December, her life has been infinitely richer. It's amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. how vibrant the colors of each day can be when you break out of your comfort zone and push through adversity. ``That,'' Hill said, ``is when you learn the most about yourself.'' The disappointment of not making the U.S. national team - Hill tried out in 1992 and again in '95, after a one-year professional stint in Japan - dissipated as soon as she started touring Mexico with the national team. Everywhere she went, she felt she was home. Soccer, which has given her life its rhyme and rhythm since she was 5, became a salsa beat stirring emotions deep inside her. ``Soccer is a passion that breaks down barriers wherever you are,'' said Hill, who starred at UC Santa Barbara in the late 1980s. ``I feel so connected to the Mexican people. It has been such a positive life experience. I feel like we're really breaking new ground.'' She's found affirmation even in the negative results. A while back the U.S. and Mexico squads met in a friendly. The U.S. won, 9-0. The U.S. players could have taken a dim view of their college and club teammates who crossed the border to catch up to their dreams. Instead, the Americans who had once beaten out the likes of Hill for berths on the U.S. team were gracious and supportive. ``(Forward) Tiffeny Milbrett Tiffeny Carleen Milbrett (born October 23, 1972) is a women's soccer player who is currently on the United States women's national soccer team. She was born in Portland, Oregon and currently plays for the Linköpings FC in the Swedish Damallsvenskan, having transferred there from said to me, `You know, I think it's really great that you're doing this,' '' Hill said. The players who lost their positions to U.S. imports weren't so chivalrous chiv·al·rous adj. 1. Having the qualities of gallantry and honor attributed to an ideal knight. 2. Of or relating to chivalry. 3. Characterized by consideration and courtesy, especially toward women. . Bad feelings festered. From the enmity, a mutual respect eventually rose. It happened when the Mexican players realized the Mexican-Americans were intent on showing them the way, not the door. The future of women's soccer in Mexico, after all, isn't its imported talent. It's all the teen-age girls that Hill and her teammates have reached out and touched. They've baptized bap·tize v. bap·tized, bap·tiz·ing, bap·tiz·es v.tr. 1. To admit into Christianity by means of baptism. 2. a. To cleanse or purify. b. To initiate. 3. an entire generation, and how many missionaries can boast that? IMPORTED TALENT Women on Mexico's World Cup team who live and play in the U.S.: Monica Gerardo midfielder Monica Gonzalez forward Laurie Hill midfielder Susie Mora MORA, In civil law. This term, in mora, is used to denote that a party to a contract, who is obliged to do anything, has neglected to perform it, and is in default. Story on Bailm. Sec. 123, 259; Jones on Bailm. 70; Poth. Pret a Usage, c. 2, Sec. 2, art. 2, n. defender Lisa Nanez defender Gina Oceguerra defender Nancy Pinzon midfielder Linnea Quinones goalkeeper Andrea Rodebaugh midfielder Ivette Valdez goalkeeper CAPTION(S): Photo, Box Photo: The Mexico soccer team, coached by Leonardo Cuellar, faces Brazil on Saturday in East Rutherford, N.J. Jeff Zelevansky/Associated Press Box: IMPORTED TALENT (See text) |
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