In Focus

By Jason Cannon '02 continued

Her leadership has given the Cougars a mental edge, and her game has taken this year's GSAC champions to a new level.

"Jacque is someone that an opposing team wants to stop, which is the greatest compliment to any player at any level," Jorgenson added.

When the need arises for Godoy to score, she can-at will. Her 32-point effort in the Cougars' 81-75 loss at Point Loma Nazarene University demonstrates her abilities. Nevertheless, this point guard enjoys nothing more than handing out an assist, punctuated by a customary fist pump when a teammate's shot drops.

"I love passing the ball. It's so much fun to drive and find whoever is open," she said like a true point guard. "When you have a good assist you get the crowd into it. I would rather have an assist than a lay-up anytime."

Last season, Godoy became an NAIA All-American, averaging 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists at Wayland Baptist University in the Sooner Athletic Conference, generally revered as the NAIA's top women's basketball conference in the nation. Prior to transferring to Azusa Pacific, she was apprehensive about joining a new team under a new coach, but those fears were quickly dispelled.

"I thought it would be difficult at first. I didn't know anybody, but I just wanted to come in and learn everything I could. This team was very friendly and open. It was easy for me to come here and be myself."

"It's about people for her," Jorgensen said. "She doesn't want it to be just about the game. She wants it to be about the whole person, the whole individual."

For Godoy, APU's holistic approach includes getting an education along with playing hoops. "I'm pretty serious about homework," said the speaker of three languages.

A physical education major, Godoy's work ethic applies to her nightly homework, which can be difficult at times.

"For international students, it takes a little longer to do the work than American students because English is not our first language," she explained.

On the court, the challenges do not end with a regular season title: More lie on the horizon for Godoy and the Cougars. Senior center Jen Barbone suffered a possible season-ending knee injury against Concordia University, damaging APU's hopes of going deep into the NAIA Tournament. Although Barbone will try to play without risk of further injury, Godoy talks about a team unfazed by the adversity. "We all know our roles on this team," she said. "We will miss Jen a lot if she can't play, but I believe that our team has the talent to play well and go far."

Godoy will be up late figuring out exactly how.

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