What the Coaches Are Saying:

• Outstanding 1-v-1 attacking play maker who can both create chances as well as take them

• As a member of the U.S. U-20 national pool, she has shown herself to be one of the best wide attacking players in the country

• Will provide great service for our central strikers

As a Sophomore (2011):

• Played in 20 of the Bears' 22 games, starting nine

• Doubled her previous year with four goals

• Also chipped in two assists

• Two of her goals were gamewinners

As a Freshman (2010):

• Saw action in 12 of Cal's 20 games, starting four

• Registered two goals and two assists

• Had the game-winning goal against Long Beach State

High School/Personal:

• Recognized as the No. 18 player in the nation, according to the Top Drawer Soccer National Top-100 List

• Team captain her first year on the varsity squad in 2009 and was the team leader in goals and assists, earning her first-team all-league status

• Led her team to the 2009 Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship

• Earned 2009 ESPN Spring All-America team honorable mention

• Currently part of the U.S. U-20 national-team pool

• Was part of the U-17 pool for the January and May 2008 camps and made the trip with the team to Argentina in 2007, when she played up a level; participated in the 2009 Winter Interregional in Mississippi

• Member of the Region IV team from 2006-09

• In 2008, participated in Adidas ESP Camp, in which she was named to the all-star team and was an Adidas ESP Golden Boot winner

• Played on the Cal North state team from 2005-08 and won Cal North State Champions with the team in 2006

• 2007 NSCAA youth All-American and was named to the 2009 NSCAA All-Region Team

• Member of her high school's key club in 2008 and national honor society member from 2007-10

MERCIK'S CAREER STATISTICS:
Year	G	GS	Shots	Goals	Ast	Pts
2010	12	4	11	2	2	6
2011	20	9	27	4	2	10
Totals	32	13	38	6	4	16

Freshman Feature: Q&A With Rachel Mercik

CalBears.com: What made you chose Cal?
Rachel Mercik: I chose Cal because of the surroundings and the bustling city life that came along with the prestige of the university. The very first time I came for a visit, I had a feeling about Cal, and now that I am actually here, I see exactly why I chose it. Also, the women's soccer student-athletes that I met on my visits were very welcoming and definitely helped to persuade me to come to Cal.

CalBears.com: What are your hobbies outside of soccer?
RM: Some of my hobbies outside of soccer are photography and fashion.

CalBears.com: Do you have any unique stories about yourself that set you apart from your teammates?
RM: I used to be into softball when I was younger and had to choose between soccer and softball. I sometimes wonder where I would be if I had stuck with softball.

CalBears.com: What's your favorite part about Berkeley and/or the Cal campus?
RM: The best part about Berkeley is the small and incredibly good hole-in-the-wall restaurants around town. It makes the city so personal and unique because no where else can you find a place like Gordo's Berkeley.

CalBears.com: What is the best thing about being a part of Cal women's soccer?
RM: The best part about Cal women's soccer has to be my teammates. As a freshman, I didn't expect to be treated as equal, but they truly make me feel like I have been a part of the team as long as they have. Every personality is different, and that's what makes our team unique.

CalBears.com: Did you grow up watching Cal athletics? What has it been like to represent them?
RM: Unfortunately, I actually did not grow up watching Cal athletics. I used to live in the San Jose/Mountain View area before I moved to Sacramento, so coming to Cal games was not on my radar yet! Now, wearing the Cal attire is so surreal. I plan to support my school by going to as many games as my schedule allows!

CalBears.com: What are you planning on or thinking of majoring in?
RM: I am planning on majoring in business administration. It is very tough to get into the Haas School of Business, so the next two years are going to be quite a workload!

CalBears.com: What class are you most looking forward to this fall?
RM: I am most excited for my astronomy class this semester. The teacher is very well known and I have heard the class is very informing as well as intriguing.

CalBears.com: Which three people would you invite to dinner?
RM: I would invite Stevie Nicks, Harvey Milk and Michael Jordan.

CalBears.com: What is your biggest pet peeve?
RM: My biggest pet peeve has to be the sound of people chewing ice. It really makes me cringe.

CalBears.com: Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
RM: I can belly dance, but it is a weird talent that I don't show to many people.

CalBears.com: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?
RM: I would probably buy my parents a house on the beach because they deserve it for everything that they did for me and my soccer career! I would also buy a new car for myself.

CalBears.com: What is one thing you can't live without?
RM: I literally cannot live without my computer. I am a huge computer nerd, believe it or not.

Rachel Mercik Class: Junior Hometown: El Dorado Hills, CA High School: Oak Ridge HS Height: 5-8 Position: Forward Experience: 2V