Frech has found her place amid an older team

As the youngest player on the soccer field, all Jessica Frech really wanted to do was somehow blend in.

She was in her element, playing a sport she's excelled at since the first grade, only Frech had never experienced anything like practicing with the Northern Virginia Majestics.

It was exhilarating and petrifying at the same time.

"When I came to tryouts I had no idea what I was getting myself into," she said.

Being 16 was enough of a reason to feel self-conscious.

The girls she typically travels with on the club circuit have plenty of talent and they've helped her earn a Division I scholarship to the University of Connecticut. But the W-League exists in another soccer universe -- one filled with a galaxy of collegiate stars which has provided Frech with new insight and endless motivation to improve.

"It's definitely been a great opportunity. I never expected to make the team and now that I'm on it, playing with these girls has shown me what college is going to be like. It's good to play with people who have done it," Frech said.

"These players are a lot more physical than in high school or club. It's showed me that I have to play hard all the time."

The foundation for Frech's elite level soccer skills was established with the McLean Dragons club team. She recently helped the U17 squad capture a state title and earn a berth in last weekend's U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Championships.

Over the past two months, she's emerged as a starter for the Majestics as well, sharing the field with gifted players such as former national team pool member Stephanie Hylton of Virginia Tech, 2008 NCAA Tournament qualifiers Ashley Johnson, Brittany Lane and Anna Kayes and Brazil's Katya Arruda, who was an All-American at Oklahoma Baptist and the 2005 Sooner Athletic Conference player of the year.

"There are a lot of good teams in Maryland for my age group, but the best teams are in Virginia," said Frech, a Bethesda native who attends Connelly School of the Holy Child in Potomac, Md. "I was expecting to make the [Majestics] U20 team. I didn't know I was going to be good enough to play for the W-League team."

On a young team that is building for the future, Frech is perfectly suited for success with enough height to be a threat on corners kicks and enough finesse to go one on one in front of the net.

"She's composed and she offers us some versatility between playing a flank [midfield] and playing a striker so we're just getting her used to the environment," Majestics coach Jac Cicala said. "Her technical level is pretty high and she doesn't panic in crisis situations.

"To find somebody at 16 with that type of composure is rare."

Frech's talent is just as special. Before making a verbal commitment to UConn, she dabbled in basketball, lacrosse and swimming only to have each of those sports gradually fade into the background as soccer became her priority.

Heading into tonight's game -- her sixth of the season -- in Cary, N.C., Frech has proven that she can play at the college level and she's firmly established herself as one of the Majestics' rising stars.

"It's definitely been a good experience. I'm really excited to finish out the season," said Frech, who is still seeking her first W-League point.

"I really hope I get at least one goal or an assist or something. I definitely want to win a game and score some."