On a warm August day in 1997, the 158th year of VMI's existence, life at the Institute was changed forever as the first class of women entered the halls of VMI's Barracks. That same summer, a young female soccer player was nine years old in Las Vegas, Nev.
Little could anyone know that the two events would one day be linked, and in a decidedly positive fashion, as that young soccer player has just been named the first female recipient of VMI's Three-Legged Stool award, the award which honors the VMI intercollegiate athlete who best personifies the three aspects of the VMI lifestyle, academics, athletics and military life.
Audrey Falconi was raised in the desert heat of Nevada, and began to play soccer at an early age.
“My first memory of soccer is playing goalie at the age of 6,” said the 5-foot-1, now-defender. “My stepfather has always loved soccer, and he started me and my siblings out in the sport. I was the only one who kept playing through high school and college. He's always been a big influence in my soccer career.”
Once Audrey got out from the goal's mouth, she became one of the area's best young players. A two-time All-State performer at Centennial High School in Las Vegas, Falconi would also turn heads at that school in a entirely different environment.
“Audrey was certainly one of my top students academically,” said Susan Salb, Falconi's Chemistry teacher at Centennial. “She was bright, very pleasant, and always helpful. A model student. Audrey was one of those amazing kids that can balance the most challenging academic schedule with time-consuming extracurricular activities such as sports.”
Indeed, Falconi excelled in the classroom, as evidenced by her Valedictorian status at graduation. She credits Salb as one of her mentors, stating, “I liked how she taught so much, she was the reason I decided to major in Chemistry here at VMI.”
Such an ability to balance scheduling has always been a key part of life at VMI, as evidenced by the multitude of demands placed on each cadets lives. Falconi's having that ability in high school, and performing at such a high level both on the field and in the classroom would seem to indicate a perfect fit. However, as Coach Bryan Williams offers, it was a bit of a coincidental match to begin with.
“We had an assistant scouting Chrissy Beach at a tournament down in Florida,” said Coach Williams, who brought in both Falconi and Beach in his first recruiting class. “We had set up an official visit with her, and she talked to Audrey, who, at that point, only had interest from a small school in Arkansas. The two ended up coming here for their visit together, and Audrey really latched on to VMI right away.”
One of the reasons for Falconi's quick acceptance of VMI was a reason outsiders might not consider likely at a military school, but one that will not surprise her soon-to-be fellow alumni.
“I really liked the fact that when we'd pass by one of the other players, they'd say hey or acknowledge you somehow,” said the All-Big South VMI player, when discussing that first visit to Lexington. “At my high school, there were so many people you hardly knew anyone, and no one would really talk to you that much. It was such a big change, and I think that's the closeness of the school. When you're forced together like what happens here, it's a lot easier to be friendly than not.”
Falconi's collegiate career began well, as she led the Keydet offense during her first season on post. Her 15 points placed her second among Big South freshman, and she earned Freshman of the Year accolades for her performance. Despite that, a switch was made. Falconi moved to the forward position early in the season, but was eventually switched to the back line, where Coach Williams thought she could be of better use.
“I actually went into high school wanting to play center back, but I ended up at outside midfield,” said the senior. “So when I came here, I wanted to play outside midfield, and now, I'm the center back. It was hard switching to the back line, because I almost feel claustrophobic back there, like I couldn't leave or move. That's how it felt the first year. Now, I'm glad I stuck with it, and I feel like I helped the team out.”
Turns out, Coach Williams was right to make the move. As Falconi took over the rank of Corporal in the Corps of Cadets, she began to demonstrate leadership on the Keydets' back line as well. The team posted since-bested VMI records of four shutouts and a 1.81 goals-against-average, and nearly knocked off top-seeded Coastal Carolina in the first round of the Big South Tournament.
Meanwhile, the academic accolades began to pour in. After her sophomore campaign, Falconi made the CoSIDA/ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Third Team, an honor she would improve on each of the next two years by making the Second Team. She also was VMI's representative on the conference's All-Academic squad.
Despite the litany of recognition, Falconi has clearly remained humble.
“It's nice being noticed for how hard you're working, but I'm not going out and trying to win awards,” said Falconi. “I'm just trying to get good grades, and understand what I'm learning to the best of my ability. Sometimes I didn't even know the awards existed until I got them!”
Falconi's junior season brought perhaps the biggest change of her VMI career, as her team vaulted into serious conference contention. The then-VMI Battalion Sergeant was one of the major reasons why, as she earned Second Team All-State honors and the Keydets posted their best season on record, one that ended with its first postseason win, a 2-1 triumph over Winthrop in the conference tournament's opening round.
“It seems like every year I've been here, we get better and better recruits to join the program,” Falconi opined about the program's recent surge up the Big South standings. “It's startling for us (the four 2009 women's soccer seniors) to think back to when we used to be happy to have one shot on goal in a game, and now, we feel like we can win regularly.”
Now, as the Keydets position themselves for the conference tournament, Falconi remains a key reason why they are a threat. She was voted runner-up for the Preseason Player of the Year honor, and has lived up to that billing. VMI has equaled its team record for shutouts, set each of the last two years. Yet, Falconi has quite the ambitious plan for life after soccer, as evidenced by the 4.0 GPA she's carried in her major of Chemistry.
“I've known I wanted to go to medical school for a couple of years now,” offered the VMI senior. “Last summer, I shadowed doctors and was able to watch them work, and that just helped solidify that goal. I'm looking at VCU, the Military Medical School, a school in Arizona and one in California.”
Those who have watched Audrey through the years believe she can accomplish that goal.
“It has been a pleasure to watch Audrey on the soccer field, and to have her both as a student and as a Chemistry research assistant,” said LTC Daren Timmons, Falconi's academic advisor at VMI. “She brings the same intensity and focus to everything: course work, lab work, or athletic competition. Quietly leading by her work ethic and passionate pursuit of excellence, she is a tremendous role model for her peers.”
Looking back over the past 12 years, no female athlete has matched what Audrey Falconi has brought to VMI. All the way from Las Vegas, she's brought an athletic recruit so well rounded and so focused that, even as she posted the top GPA among VMI intercollegiate athletes, her coach said of her, “I feel that as a player and team leader, Audrey would rank with the top VMI athletes who have gone before her.”
One has to wonder if anyone, even Falconi herself, could have envisioned her bringing those talents to VMI at that moment in time, that warm August day of 1997.
Written by Brad Salois
Assistant Athletic Media Relations Director
