Thursday, October 4, 2001

Same Sport, Different Country
Bara Gunnarsdottir traveled more than thousands of miles to play soccer for TCU
By Sarah McClellan
Skiff Reporter

Bara Gunnarsdottir doesn’t like country music, and she doesn’t like hot weather. So what attracted the freshman midfielder from Kopavogur, Iceland, to Fort Worth?

The TCU Web site.

Erin Munger - Photo Editor Freshman forward Bara Gunnarsdottir is the first TCU women’s soccer player from Iceland. Gunnarsdottir played on the under 17, under 18, and under 21 Iceland national teams while in high school.

“I had to pick from two schools and I saw the (TCU) Web site and everything looked so good,” Gunnarsdottir said.

Gunnarsdottir, who has started five games but is out with a hamstring injury, is adjusting well to the change of place and climate, players said. Head coach David Rubinson said Gunnarsdottir is the first person from Iceland to play soccer for TCU.

Rubinson said Gunnarsdottir’s decision to move thousands of miles away from home was brave.

“It certainly was a gamble for her,” Rubinson said. “She hadn’t seen the campus in person.”

Senior midfielder Tiffany Goetz said Gunnarsdottir has become more open and outgoing since she has been in America.

“I think she’s more confident about her English now that she’s been here awhile,” Goetz said. “I can tell because she’s getting sarcastic.”

Gunnarsdottir said her English has improved since she arrived in America.

“I would say I almost understand everything, but I have a hard time saying everything I want to say,” she said. “Sometimes (on the field) I say something in Icelandic because it just comes out.”

Freshman midfielder Stephanie Bereznicki, Gunnarsdottir’s roommate, said the adaptation to American life has gone smoothly for Gunnarsdottir.

“She seems to get along well with everyone,” Bereznicki said. “She used to be shy but now she goes out a lot and talks more.”

Gunnarsdottir said there are only a few big differences between culture in America and Iceland.

“There are always small things that are different here,” she said. “The biggest difference is when you walk by people, they smile. People are much nicer here.”

Rubinson said Gunnarsdottir is learning a lot from teammates.

“The other girls are teaching her a lot about American culture,” Rubinson said. “It’s been a wonderfully educational experience for all of us.”

Gunnarsdottir played on the under-17, under 18 and under 21 Iceland national teams while in high school. The experience should translate to success on the field, Rubinson said.

“It’s good to have a freshman from a national team,” Rubinson said. “She played at a very high level and what she really adds to our team is an excellent work ethic. She’s very enthusiastic about what she does. When she trains, she trains hard. When she plays, she plays hard.”

Rubinson also said Gunnarsdottir has a hamstring injury, which could be a result of how hard she works.

Sarah McClellan
s.l.mcclellan@student.tcu.edu