PALATINE, Ill. – Bree Nishibun (Palatine, Ill./Fremd) wasn't even aware that soccer season had started.  But as she talked with friend Amanda Herdegen, she discovered the Harper College women's soccer team had already played one game in the 2011 season.  Eager to play, Nishibun joined the Hawks for the remainder of the season and Dwayne Cruz and the rest of the program is glad that she did.
 
After a standout freshman season, Nishibun is a captain this season and will be a big part of Harper's quest for their trip to the national tournament in Cruz's 13- year tenure.  Her skill and leadership make her an ideal choice for Harper College's third Athlete of the Week.
 
“It was probably the best decision I've ever made,” Nishibun said of her decision to come to Harper and come out for the team.  “Having the girls on the team last year, I made friends with a lot of them.  And this year is even better because we are closer.  Being captain, I'm more of a leader.”
 
Nishibun originally planned to end her soccer career after playing at Fremd High School and attend the University of Illinois.  But after deciding that she was better off saving some money, Nishibun came to Harper and met up with her former Vikings teammate, Herdegen.  A star in her own right, Herdegen was a First Team All-Conference and All-Region selection last season and helped recruit Nishibun onto the team.
 
Nishibun has had a completely different experience playing for Harper than playing in high school.  Along with Herdegen and Leah Tednes, Nishibun was selected to the All-Conference First Team and All-Region First Team.  Nishibun controlled the middle of the field with Tednes playing up top looking to score and Herdegen playing defense.
 
“Coming here, it was a completely different experience,” Nishibun said.  “I had a new start and my confidence was a lot higher because I was playing with fantastic people.  Amanda was great, Leah was great and everyone was very supportive of each other.  It's a lot better here and that's why I've thrived a lot more.  It's also changed my mind about continuing to play.  Now I have the confidence to play.  That wasn't a thought in my head before.”
 
With only Abby Groh (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) back from the 2011 team, Nishibun is a captain this season and has taken on more of a leadership role.
 
“On the first day of practice, I said, 'Lets go out to lunch and get to know each other,'” Nishibun said.  “It was difficult, but at the same time it was refreshing because everyone gets a new start.  I took that role to make sure that everyone felt welcome.”
 
Nishibun, who hopes to continue her career next year at a four-year school, is currently sitting out after suffering a concussion on Tuesday at South Suburban College.  But she expects to be back soon, hopefully in time for Wednesday's clash with the College of DuPage.  Each season, the Region IV championship usually comes down to the Hawks and Chaparrals.  Last season, DuPage edged Harper 5-3, but Nishibun is determined not to let that happen again.
 
“Last year was definitely a fight that we could have won,” Nishibun said.  “The pieces just didn't fall together.  We got our stuff together in the last ten minutes.  We will be ready for the challenge because we are getting all of the kinks out now.  I tell everyone every day that we are going to nationals.  As a captain, that is the legacy that I want to leave behind.”