When you look at the Power roster, names like Tiffeny Milbrett, Christie Pearce and Saskia Webber jump out at you. But during this year’s surprising 5-5-1 start, several of the role players are becoming stars in their own right. Take defender Jaclyn Raveia, for example.

Before this season, Raveia was an average defender, trying to carve a niche with the Power after the team scooped her up off waivers from the Carolina Courage in the middle of last year.

But then-new coach Tom Sermanni approached her before the start of this season with a challenge.

“[Sermanni] came up to me at the very beginning of training camp and asked me to become more vocal and to step my game up,” Raveia said. “It didn’t matter that I wasn’t playing for the National Team. He treated me just like he treated the superstars on the team, and that meant a lot to me.”

“[Raveia] has become a real solid player for us,” said Webber, the team’s goaltender. “She has helped make my job a lot easier.”

Raveia decided that if she is to take her game to the next level she had to be fully dedicated.

“Long physical workouts and hours in the film room have been the keys,” Raveia said. “And it’s not just me, it’s the entire team.”

That entire team is hoping to get over the .500 mark this afternoon as it faces the 3-3-4 San Diego Spirit.