Luana Miessa Brings Talents To Tampa

From representing Brazil in the 2006 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Russia to representing The University of Tampa women's soccer team, Luana Miessa, 23, has done just that. Miessa, now a senior, has been around the world playing soccer before she has even graduated from college. Now at UT, she is taking her experiences and put them to use for the Spartans during this 2010 campaign.

"Going to the FIFA World Cup and representing my country was amazing," said Miessa after being speechless moments before. "The feeling and hearing of the national anthem just brought me to tears."

Miessa, an exercise science major with a focus in adult fitness, did not begin her collegiate career at UT. She began playing at Sam Houston State University, but transferred after her sophomore year. She got word of UT at a soccer tournament over the summer in Columbia where she met then UT women's soccer player Tammy Lemieux, who recommended UT and told her to send her resume to Head Coach Gerry Lucey.

"I was not happy there, but here it feels like home," said Miessa. "Here I like to go to the beach and hang with my friends when I can, mainly during the offseason."

Due to NCAA regulations, she had to sit out her first year at UT. Sitting out can have an effect on a player due to a lack of participation, but at least Miessa still participated with the team in practice. The senior forward used her international and club experiences back in Brazil as a reference to her game, as it helped her face any issue that the game of soccer may bring. The competition at the international and Brazilian level is very high, so she was well aware of how hard she must work.

"In Brazil and other countries around the world, soccer is their life. Here soccer is just another thing they do. For some it may be a goal, but not everyone," said Miessa. "But the competition at the international level is so much tougher, even within the team."

Miessa, born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, was not about to allow her redshirt year at UT bring her down. She had also been held back from participation once before. When she was 17, she was first recognized and called up to the Brazilian National Team, but had to miss out from participation due to a torn ACL. When called upon by Brazil one year later, she was ready. She went on to participate in the FIFA U-20 World Cup, where they finished third, and the U-20 Sudamericano Games in Chile where they won gold.

"After I graduate, I would like to continue playing soccer, if not here in Europe," said, Miessa. "Brazil does not have the best support for their women's soccer, that is why I would prefer to play here or in Europe. They just do not have the money to do so in Brazil."

Soccer is not everything for this Brazilian native, as she has plans in place in case soccer is not in her future after college. She would like to open her own gym, which is why she chose exercise science with a focus in adult fitness as her major.
"I'm a happy person and am always smiling," said Miessa. "I always expect the best from myself."

Entering her second year at UT, and her first as an eligible player for the Spartans, she looks forward to making the most of it. As of Oct. 13, the UT women's soccer team is 8-4. Miessa has contributed to the Spartans with six goals and two assist in 12 games. As the season rolls along, she focuses on improving individually and as a team.

"I know I can give more, I know my potential," she said. "Each game we are getting better and better and I think we will be successful by the end of the year."

Written by Pedro Salgado (SPM 385)