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GOLDANDBLACK EXPRESS • VOLUME 25, EXPRESS 1 • 33 highly touted freshman class. He said he'll be looking for consistency throughout the three matches as he tries to put the pieces in place for a deep and versatile roster. "We're looking for the player who comes in six or seven out of seven nights and plays well," Shondell said. "Not the player that's a flash in the pan that comes in on Tuesday and looks great and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday are invisible. The people who we play — or at least start —are the play - ers I believe are going to provide consistency throughout the sea- son. " Neill said she sees about four or five players who can start at every position, making Purdue as versatile as it's been since she en- ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK: SOCCER'S NICOLE ROBERTSON P urdue freshman midfielder Nicole Robertson didn't play in the Boilermak- ers' exhibition game against Illinois State on Aug. 15. She didn't expect to play in the first few weeks of Purdue's regular season, either. Yet it was Robertson who accounted for both of Purdue's scores with a goal and assist in its 2-0 triumph over Ohio Sunday in the final game of the Boiler- maker Challenge Cup. "After everything that happened, it was a great turnaround and big shock," Robertson said. Robertson couldn't participate in Purdue's first practice because she hadn't taken a test needed as part of NCAA rules. Then, during a fitness test, the Tem- ecula, Calif., native had an asthma attack and didn't have her inhaler nearby. A groin injury sidelined her for a week as well. "I expected not to start in any games in the beginning," Robertson said. "I expected not to get a lot of playing time, but I knew to myself I had to prove myself and my team I could be a good motivator and part of the team. It was super hard. Coach did a points system to make it more competitive with each other because everyone was going up in points and I was just staying the same. "I had to get myself up and ready to go and prove I could make a difference. I told myself that if I was given a chance to play, I'd do anything I can (to make a difference)." Robertson got her opportunity the practice after Purdue's scrimmage against Illinois State. Many of the starters had a recovery day and the ones who didn't play had a harder practice, giving Robertson a chance to stand out. "Coach (Rob) Klatte told me after that practice I did really good during that training," Robertson said. "I gave everything I had to show him I'm not down on myself and I'm not going to give up." Robertson carried that momentum into opening weekend. She logged 36 minutes against Miami (Ohio) before starting against Ohio. She responded with an assist to Erika Arkans for Purdue's first goal of the season in the sixth minute and a goal of her own in the 66th minute thanks to a cross-field pass from Maddy Williams. Robertson's and Arkans' goals Sunday marked the first time that two different Boilers scored their first career goals in a regular-season game since a September 2011 draw with Cal State Northridge. "When Coach (Klatte) gave me a chance in Friday's game and Saturday's game, it boosted my self- confidence and self-belief," Robertson said. "I didn't expect any of this to happen. The whole weekend was a great experience so far and a great beginning for me and my team." — Travis Baugh