When did you start playing soccer?
I started at the age of 5 at the local YMCA
What is your favorite thing about playing soccer?
I have always enjoyed the competition that the sport brings. As I have gotten older, I think another favorite aspect are the friendships that I make with all the girls on the team.
What was your most memorable game experience?
It would have to be either the NCAA championship win in 2003 or my first 2 international goals with my U-19 team!
What is something you always have in your soccer bag?
My cleats and then hope everything is in there….but I check my bag probably 10 times to make sure.
What was your most interesting and fun soccer trip and why?
I looooved going to South Korea with the National Team. I have had the opportunity to go twice and each time we visited the DMZ between North and South Korea. It was awesome to do something off the field where we were able to experience a piece of history.
What's your perfect day off?
Sleeping in a bit…even though I love doing that whenever I can. Then spending time with my boyfriend Joe or friends…I'm a pretty big busy body so I don't ever like just sitting around.
Name a sports team other than Sky Blue FC that you can’t live without?
I would say I appreciate sports in general more than any specific team, but if I had to name one, I would say Carolina Basketball.
What famous person most inspires you?
Kurt Warner, I love his story of how he was doing whatever he could to play the sport he loved and eventually through hard work and dedication, made it to the NFL. His character and integrity shine through and he is much more than just a great football player.
If you could only eat one food item/meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I'm a meat and potatoes type of girl...soooo chicken or steak.
What's on your workout/pre-game iPod playlist?
I don't ever listen to one playlist, I tend to just put it on shuffle and click through until I find the good ones…not the most efficient way, but it works!
Aside from soccer, I'm really good at…
Ping pong.
Not many people know that I can…
Make a mean peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
If my parents were describing me, they’d say that I…
Had some awkward stages as a child…4 letters…PERM!!! (Disclaimer: parents did not say, that came straight from me) :-)
If I were stranded on a deserted island with one of my current Sky Blue FC teammates, I would want to be with…
Heather [O'Reilly] because we laugh all the time when together.
I want my experience in WPS to be…
One that I look back on and know that I took advantage of the great opportunity in front of me.
QUICK HITS – List your three favorites:
TV Shows:
1. ESPN
2. Law and Order: SVU
3. American Idol
Places to Shop:
1. Target
2. Niketown
3. H&M
Restaurants:
1. The Melting Pot
2. Olive Garden
3. Becco's
Professional Athletes:
1. Joe Burke
2. Stephen Gerrard
3. Kurt Warner
What are the three things you can never be without while traveling?
iPod, my phone and my bible.
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you want to go and why?
Right now I believe I would pick Italy…would definitely want to enjoy a Serie A game and then tour all the major cities.
Did you have a childhood pet? What was its name?
Yes, Angel and my parents gave it away when my sister was born…I was devastated, but it worked out…I love my sister!
What was your favorite TV show, movie, and music group?
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Little Mermaid (from ages 5-10, okay I still like it, you caught me).
What was the first concert you ever attended?
Bon Jovi and it was my freshman year of college, I didn't go to any concerts when I was young.
What was your favorite Halloween costume that you wore?
The best one I ever wore was actually in college. A group of girls on our team at UNC were the baseball players from A League of Their Own. Chalups (Lori Chalupny), Kendall Fletcher and myself got the entire outfit, died it pink and we thought it turned out pretty well!
What was your dream profession as a child?
To be a professional soccer player or doctor.
What was your first job?
YMCA referee for soccer and basketball.
If you had a dinner party, who are the four people you would invite (can be living or dead) and why?
Jim Carey, Michael Jackson
Surely it took a lot of hard work to get to this level, what motivated you to keep working hard?
I was lucky enough to have great supportive parents who understood the ups and downs of athletics. They were always there to have the right words to say no matter what I went through.
When it got hard, or you didn’t make the cut what did you do? What advice could you give kids about working hard and overcoming moments like this?
Being cut or let down can either serve to motivate you or to make you quit….I knew I had this choice and something always inside pushed me to keep going and prove to myself and to others that I could make it. It comes down to having a passion for something and the belief in yourself.
When going through school and playing soccer at the same time, how did you fit all the pieces together (soccer, school, social life)
Growing up there were definitely sacrifices that had to be made. Desiring to be a top level athlete makes you choose between your sport and social life, but it always pays off in the end. School and soccer are a tough balance, especially in college. For me, time management and avoiding procrastination were the keys!
What advice would you give to a young girl who dreams of playing in WPS one day?
Always outwork others and do the things that others aren't willing to do. No matter what level you make, this will always get you to your potential.