No one will ever accuse Theresa Pagnozzi of wasting her college years.

Pagnozzi stays active and involved at Eastern Connecticut State University.

Her love of Spanish, her major, led to her spending about a month studying abroad in Spain last summer. She also is studying anthropology, her minor. She's considering being a translator after graduation.

She's expanding her horizons in the sports world, planning to join the swim program for the first time. Another favorite sport is figure skating.

That's not all.

A 2008 Waterford High School graduate, Pagnozzi is the starting goalie for the women's soccer team, which is on the verge of its first unbeaten regular season in the program's 25-year history. The Warriors, 13-0-3 overall, are the top-ranked team in New England and stand at No. 11 in the nation.

To say the least, she's enjoying her junior year so far, especially on the soccer field.

"It's been a really big bonding experience," Pagnozzi said. "It's been really great. The team is really into it. We're having a good time. Winning is always fun."

Pagnozzi deflected any credit for Eastern's terrific run, preferring to praise her team.

With support from a terrific defense, she's allowed only five goals in 13 games, including 11 starts, posting a stingy 0.46 goals-against average and four shutouts. Her record is 10-0-2 overall (11-0-2 in her career).

"She's making the saves that she needs to make," ECSU coach Chris D'Ambrosio said. "She's solidifying our defense."

The starting goalie's job was wide open entering preseason, with Pagnozzi competing against Mackenzie MacLeod.

Pagnozzi kept working, focusing on improving her fitness level. D'Ambrosio requires all his players to run the mile in six minutes, 30 seconds. She added pool workouts to her routine and eventually hit the mark.

"I worked hard and did what I was asked to do," Pagnozzi said. "Every person that wanted to play had to run a 6:30 mile. I got that out of the way and then the real battle began."

Eventually, Pagnozzi beat out MacLeod and became the full-time starter.

Pagnozzi rewarded D'Ambrosio's faith in her by making several huge saves to preserve the undefeated record, including a key stop in a 1-1 double-overtime tie with UMass-Dartmouth on Saturday.

D'Ambrosio has watched Pagnozzi grow into her new role, taking command of the box and becoming more vocal. She possesses the size - she's 5-foot-9 - and sure hands necessary to be a successful Division III keeper.

"As she got more playing time, her confidence grew," D'Ambrosio said.

With two regular-season games remaining, the Warriors are zeroing in on defending their Little East Conference regular-season title. They're also the defending conference tournament champions and are looking to return to the NCAA tournament where they lost in the first round last season.

"We're just trying to do better than last year," Pagnozzi said.

When the season is over, Pagnozzi will trade in her goalie gloves for a swim cap. A recreational swimmer growing up, she's ready to take on another challenge, joining the swim team.

"It's always something that I wanted to do," Pagnozzi said. "After college, I don't see many opportunities to be able to be on a team. I'm enjoying that experience and I figured that I might as well seize the opportunity when I get a chance."

Pagnozzi has spent her college career seizing opportunities. She's not about to stop now.

g.keefe@theday.com