If asked to name players on the Colorado Soccer team, most people would name junior Nikki Marshall, and maybe senior's Michelle Wenino and Alex Cousins. But the future of CU Soccer is in the hands of nine freshman, two of which have made quite an impact already this season; Kelly Butler and Kate Russell.

"One of the things that I really like about those two kids is that they have an instinct for the game," said head coach Bill Hempen, "They're trying to figure things out on their own, as opposed to 'coach where do I go now, coach what do I do now, coach what do I do now?' so they have a real feel for the game that makes it real enjoyable for me."

However, this relationship between the two women doesn't just end on the soccer field, but every night when they go back to their dorm. That's right, both Butler and Russell are roommates.

"She is one of my good friends, we're roommates so we spend a lot of time together," said Butler, "We have fun, it's a lot of fun."

Though these two girls live in the same room, they come from two different backgrounds in two different parts of the country.

Russell, an open-option major is a local girl from Longmont, while Butler, Psychology/Pre-nursing major is from Naperville, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.

Butler admits that it's tough to be away from her family, but she isn't entirely secluded with her sister Courtney (21) just down the road as a gymnast at the University of Denver.

"With the rest of my family so far away, it feels good that she comes out to all my games, is there to cheer me on, and at least it's a little bit of comfort," said Butler, "She's there for me whenever I need her."

Russell on the other hand wasn't planning on staying in-state, but according to her, everything kept leading back to CU.

"I'm really happy with my decision, and it's so nice to have my mom nearby," said Russell.

In fact, parents from her old club team have even made the journey down to Prentup Field to watch Russell play.

However, one person who hasn't made the journey yet, is her Dad, Gordon, who is in Iraq as a Navy Captain working on Naval Intelligence.

Russell keeps in contact with her dad often, just as he has been keeping a close eye on her with the team. It was Mr. Russell who broke news to Kate that she was the Big-12 Newcomer of the Week, two weeks ago.

"My dad called me from Iraq," said Russell, "And was like, 'congratulations,' and I was like, 'for what dad,' and he was like, 'well your Big-12 Newcomer of the Week, you didn't know?' and I was like, 'oh, no.' So it was really exciting and really cool that I got to accomplish something like that, so soon. It's a really great honor to have."

Russell has two goals and one assists this season and was the first Buff to be named Big-12 Newcomer of the Week since Nikki Marshall was awarded the honor in October of 2006.

"It was really exciting and really cool that I got to accomplish something like that, so soon," said Russell, "It's a really great honor to have."

Butler has had her own success this season, nabbing two goals and two assists, including the game-winning goal against Memphis on Sunday, giving the Buffs their fifth straight win.

Butler attributes much of her early success to her club playing days back in Illinois, and her coming out to Boulder early to do summer school.

"I think it helped a lot, because we [her club team] were practicing up until I came out here," said Butler, "I came out here for summer school too, so I got to train with the girls out here for a month just before preseason. So that helped a lot."

According to Coach Hempen, Butler and Russell were made for each other with Kelly being a left footed service player, and Kate being a right footed service player.

"Bill always tells us that we're two pieces in a pie," said Russell, "'you guys are your counterparts,' because we're on opposite sides of the field."

With all the success these players have already had so early, what has been their best lesson they've learned since joining the squad?

"Never ever give up," said Butler, "Even when it seems like everything is going to be really hard for awhile, it's going to get better and it has, so never give up."

Russell's answer was a little more about team policy.

"To be on time for everything, and always dress the mandatory dress code," said Russell, "I was like two-minutes late to dinner one time and it was not a good thing."

The future of the soccer program is in the hands of these two girls and seven other freshmen, but with the huge contribution that these players have already made, it seems like the future is looking bright for CU Soccer.

"Each team develops its own personality," said coach Hempen, "And those two right there along with Caroline (Danneberg), another freshman, this is eventually going to be their team, and the sooner they understand that and accept that, the better for the leadership as we go forward with our program."