Lisa Jensen was a member of the UC Riverside Women's Soccer Team from 2002-05. Her senior season, the Highlanders became the first women's program in UC Riverside's Division I history to make the NCAA Tournament, finishing the regular season with an undefeated 4-0-3 mark in Big West play. Jensen concluded her UCR career with nine goals and two assists. The Highlanders went 45-21-14, during her four years. We checked in with the La Verne, California native from her new home in Boise, Idaho for this month's edition of "Where Are They Now?".

I first became aware of UC Riverside when my high school team made it to CIF Finals. Highlanders' Head Coach Veronica O'Brien was at the game and saw me play.

At the time, my educational goals were to get into teaching. After I was contacted to do a campus visit for soccer, I looked at what programs UC Riverside had to offer, and their liberal studies program, which could lead to a teaching credential, was spoken very highly of.  

When I came out to Riverside for my recruiting trip, I just loved the campus and the environment.  I am from La Verne, California and being in Riverside was an amazing location to be 'away' from home, but close enough to go home to visit, or for family to come to the games. 

The girls who hosted me for my recruiting trip were amazing—so open and welcoming. It really made me feel a part of the team already.

The other part I loved about UC Riverside was, at the time, we were the underdog. The school had just started the Women's Soccer program the year before  and the department had only recently gone Division I, so it was a very young and new team. The idea of helping grow the program was a big draw for me.

I have many amazing memories from my time at UC Riverside, but there are two that ride to the top. The first was my freshman year. It was the last game of the season, a night game on the road at Cal State Fullerton. It was raining off and on, and, oh my, it was one of the most physical and brutal games I have ever been a part of. The Titans came out so cocky and confident, and we ended up taking them down 1-0 off a 50-yard Kristi Tanaka free kick. 

This was a huge win for many reasons. First, it gave us our first-ever winning season, and Fullerton had to beat us to go on to the playoffs, so we kept them out of the postseason that year. 

My second favorite memory would have to be finding out we made the 2005 NCAA tournament!!

I ended up majoring in sociology and minoring in education at UC Riverside. Classes were tough, but I passed and earned my degree. That degree proves to me that I can accomplish anything no matter how hard if I just take it one step at time. It has given me confidence that I can do anything and achieve anything I set my mind to.   

The scholarship I received, not only provided me with an invaluable education, which will benefit me for a lifetime, but also allowed me to play a sport I love, and led to numerous life-long friendships.

It also helped instill in me the values of teamwork, hard work, and dedication. Having that mentality in personal relationships and in the work place are so important, and being part of the UC Riverside Women's Soccer team really built up these qualities in me.  I am a nurse now and these qualities are how I get through a shift and ensure the best care is given to my patients.  

After graduating in 2006, I left California. I lived in Washington state for awhile, and did some substitute teaching with the intention to get my teaching credential. After subbing, I realized I wanted to work with people, but not in the classroom. So I got my certified nurse assistant certificate, and started working in long term care and at the hospital in WA. I absolutely loved it, so I decided to get my nursing degree. 

In 2009, I moved to Portland, Oregon and became a LPN/LVN. I have been a nurse for seven years now. 

In April of this year, I moved to Boise, Idaho with my boyfriend to go back to school to finally get my RN and bachelors in nursing. 

I still play soccer both indoor and outdoor to keep in shape and ... who are we kidding ... as long as I can still walk I will play soccer.  :-)