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Diana Carvalho had somewhat of a tough time when she began her college soccer career at Rutgers-Newark a little more than three years ago.
 
A native of Newark and a graduate of nearby Newark East Side High School, Carvalho was used to being the primary goalkeeper on practically every team she played on growing up, from youth soccer to high school to the club level.
 
So when Carvalho wasn't the starting net minder for the Scarlet Raiders right away as a freshman, she was a little taken back.
 
"It was pretty tough at first," Carvalho said. "I went from playing all the time to not playing. I didn't handle it well."
 
There was a brief moment _ emphasis on brief _ where Carvalho thought about going elsewhere.
 
"I'm not going to lie," Carvalho said. "I had a little bit of an attitude problem."
 
But Carvalho remembered the reason why she went to Rutgers-Newark in the first place.
 
"It was definitely a no-brainer for me," Carvalho said about her decision to come to R-N. "I wanted to stay close to home. I knew I wanted to have a double major in social work and psychology and I knew it was a great school."
 
There was another reason for Carvalho's reluctance to leave - the relationship she enjoys with R-N head women's soccer coach Ariana Ruela.
 
"I knew Coach Ruela a long time before I came to Rutgers-Newark," Carvalho said. "I've always felt like a family feel with her and the coaches. She was the one who pushed me to stay and learn more. I had to be patient and earn my spot."
 
Ruela always liked Carvalho, but she realized - even as an assistant coach three years ago - that Carvalho was simply not ready to be a full-time starting goalie.
 
"I thought she was a bit raw," said Ruela, who is now in her second season as the head coach of the Scarlet Raiders. "I thought she needed some work. She played for her club team and her high school team and was the only keeper on all those teams, but when she came to college, there was a rude awakening. She had to compete for the position. She had to understand that nothing is given to you on the college level. Once she realized that, she was ready to play."

Carvalho has been the main goalkeeper for the Scarlet Raiders for the last two seasons. This season, she has been better than ever, posting a 1.41 goals against average with 38 saves and one shutout.
 
Carvalho has also developed into a team leader and is one of the team's captains.
 
"She's a player who has done a complete 180 in terms of attitude and being a leader," Ruela said. "Her maturity level is excellent. She has grown into an adult. She's very respectful of everyone. Before hand, she would question everything. Now she understands her role and she's stepped up big for us. She's very secure back there for us."
 
"It was a great way for me to learn a lesson," Carvalho said.
 
Carvalho worked hard in the offseason to get ready for her final year with the Scarlet Raiders. She trained three times a week with fitness coach Ryan Marshall.
 
"He actually got me to have the best shape of my life," Carvalho said. "Coach Ruela used to call me 'Spaghetti Arms,' because my arms were so long and lanky. I'm fit now and I'm stronger than ever. It's really made a difference."
 
Carvalho also worked with goalkeeper coach Juliano Mendes.
 
"He helped me a lot with communicating with my teammates," Carvalho said. "I needed to be more talkative and I never even thought of that. I've worked hard and that hard work is paying off."
 
Ruela notices the differences in her net minder.
 
"She's improved so much," Ruela said. "She now has explosiveness with her legs. Her kicks have gotten much better, cutting off the lines in crosses in front. She's not just kicking the ball out. She places her kicks. We used to have someone come in and take her goal kicks. Now she takes them. It's a testament to the strength and conditioning coach Ryan Marshall. He's done a great job with her quickness and explosiveness."
 
The senior has one of the busiest schedules around. Not only is she carrying a double major, but she also has three different jobs.
 
When she's not minding the nets, Carvalho works at a hair salon in Newark. She also works in the marketing and promotion department for the New York Red Bulls soccer team based out of Red Bull Arena in nearby Harrison. Carvalho does a variety of things for the Red Bulls, including working with the Street Team that performs soccer tricks to thrill the younger fans and she's active with the Red Bulls' participation in Special Olympics.
 
"That's been great so far," Carvalho said. "It's one of my favorite jobs."
 
More importantly, Carvalho already has a job in her chosen career path, working for the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, formerly known as DYFUS, the Department of Youth and Family Services.
 
"I got the job and it's paying the tuition for my last year of college," Carvalho said. "I then will have a job right away when I'm done with college later this year. I'm working with children and their families. We focus on the families, but we do know that the kids come first. It's a good job and I'm lucky to have it right out of college. At first, I wanted to be a teacher, but I realize now that social work is my calling. I love social work. I love making a difference."
 
Carvalho has a busy work schedule, a busy class load and her responsibilities to the Scarlet Raiders. But she seems to be handling them all well and her future is obviously bright.

"If I didn't play soccer, I don't know what I would have done," Carvalho said. "It's been a rough ride for me, from freshman year to now. I'm happy where I am now. The team is doing well. We've raised the bar a little bit. We're the type of team that will not go down without a fight."
 
Ruela loves the way Carvalho has developed.
 
"She's a great role model," Ruela said. "She's become a mentor to the younger players. She's proof that you can't get down and discouraged. If you work hard, you will get a chance. The growth she's shown is tremendous. She's now ready for the real world. It's almost amazing what she's been able to do. She had to apply herself and get her head right. I'm very proud of all she's accomplished. She's a really good kid."
 
Needless to say, Carvalho has her life totally in place these days.
 
"I'm glad I came here and stayed here," Carvalho said. "It was a good choice that I made."