IRVINE, Calif. --- UCI's recent tournament runs have taken effort from each player which includes Mar Rodriguez and Jackie Samis; two who have relished in flashes of greatness while also blending in with the vision and message of UC Irvine soccer.

Mar Rodriguez came to UC Irvine like a dream. Her rough road was full of thoughts that college was not an option, but her perseverance led her to UCI and becoming a cornerstone to the program's recent success.

In her first two years, Mar didn't miss a game playing in all 45 matches, starting in 39 of them. She was electric netting four game-winning goals in each shooting her up the Anteater record books. Her junior season brought the prospect of playing with the Mexican National Team in the Under-20 Olympic games. She returned midway through the season to boost UCI back into the NCAA Tournament. She has not regained the scoring touch these past two seasons, but has been an equally-important cog in midfield and even defending play stepping right in for major players and keeping the UCI engine running at full capacity.

Coach Juniper knows this first-hand adding, "Mar Rodriguez has been a sensational player for us for four years. To watch her mature as a young woman, develop into a player who represented her country at a World Cup, and lead our midfield here at UC Irvine so bravely has been a pleasure and an honor. It took a while for her to adapt to this environment as a freshman, but Mar will graduate from this fine academic institution in June and she is eager to pursue graduate school. I share in Mar's excitement that her accomplishments on the field and in the classroom will inspire a belief in a lot of other young women in the future."

Rodriguez has earned 2011-12 UCI Scholar-Athlete recognition as she strives for her degree in sociology. She plans on continuing her education looking to follow a career in counseling focusing on marriage and family.

Jackie Samis has always been lurking as a weapon at Coach Juniper's disposal, and realized that potential this season. Samis was utilized early on as a freshman. She played 19 matches scoring her first goal and adding an assist. She burst back onto the scene this season as a senior starting in 11 of the 17 matches she has played in cashing in with two goals including an overtime game-winner.

Coach Juniper has seen Jackie's progression through her four years stating that, "Jackie has had a very good career here at UC Irvine. In her position, has she has had to battle with some of the most talented players in our program's history for four years. She began her career as a starter in her first ever game as a freshman in the midfield, emerged as a starter as a center-back for large parts of this season, and has shown she can start at this level as a striker too. Jackie has been a key piece of our team dynamic throughout her career with her ability to connect with every corner of the locker room. She will be a big success in whatever career is lucky enough to have her."

Her versatility has expanded from the field to the classroom and beyond being named a UCI Scholar-Athlete in 2011-12. She has taken an interest in the Athletes in Action and Student Athlete Advisory Committee functions leading her through her political science major. She will be heading to Washington, D.C. for an internship that will focus on government and non-profit work.

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