Women’s Soccer Reflects on Success

A: “I do miss it, we usually have a break at the end of the season over Christmas, which I like, but not coming back for the spring season has been different.  It’s been hard not playing soccer, but at the same time I feel like its kind of time.  I have played 27/7 since I was 13 so it’s kind of weird not having it but it’s an ok feeling”

Q: What was the toughest moment to get through in four years as a student athlete?

A: “The way the season ended this year, not making it to the conference finals which we had done all three years and it just felt like an incredibly abrupt end to a really big build up.  A season we fought through a lot of things that had to end and not make it to the NCAA tournament.  It was just really abrupt and hard to get through.”

Q: Flashback to your freshman year or sophomore year:  Was there any player that mentored you in the program?

“Emilie Stewart was a senior when I was a freshman.  Her motivation and outlook on the team as a unit was always really inspiring and fun to be around.  She was always so level headed about everything.  I looked up to her and all of the coaches we have had.  I really enjoy the coaching staff as a whole.”

Q: Can you describe specific moments of where Emilie helped you?

A: “I got frustrated playing and she kind of snapped at me a little bit, but I deserved it and ever since then, I was more level headed about how I treated my teammates and how I played.  Heart plays loud.  It was a good thing and it grounded me.”

Q: You have received numerous awards.  Are there any specific awards that mean the most to you or is that something that you don’t really think about?

A: “I think about them, because they are a really great honor.  I think the things that I am most proud of is that the team has won four straight conference titles, so we get four rings and those are little things that I will treasure and it is a pretty special experience. Personally the Lowes Senior Class award was a really surreal experience.  Seeing your face on posters was awkward, but people came out of the woodworks to vote for me. “

Q: It is your freshman year, first day at training:  What was that day like?

A: “I felt like I knew more than I did.  I was really nervous.  All the girls were nice, but it seemed like they were all in this little club that I wasn’t apart of yet.  I feel like I have changed so much since then as far as how I approach the team.”

Q: What is your advice to incoming freshman?

A: “Take a deep breath. When I was a freshman I thought everything was do or die.  Just do the work and it will all be ok.  Enjoy the experience and don’t wish it away because it goes by faster than you think.”

Tabitha Padgett earned UNCG Won SoCon Freshman of the year which UNCG has won 5 of the last 7 years.  She finished her freshman season with 8 goals and 3 assists. 

Q: Playing with these seniors your freshman year, what kind of impact do you think they had on your season?

A: “Most of them started.  They had an impact both on the field and off.  They helped the freshman mesh together and become a part of the team”

Q: Do you think there was one specific senior that sticks out as a mentor to you personally?

A: “I would probably have to say Lauren Lopez because she went through some obstacles that I did my freshman year and can relate to me a lot.”

Q: Was playing college soccer everything you expected?

A: “It was really hard at first because you do have to balance everything, not like high school where everyone is telling you what you have to do and when you have to do it.  As long as you get time management down and everything you get used to it”

Q: We asked Lauren Lopez yesterday this same question: Think back to your first day in a UNCG uniform:

A: “I was really nervous and in my own zone. I think it affected my play at first until I was really comfortable.”

Q: Do you have any advice to upcoming freshman and/or upcoming seniors:

A:“To the seniors: I hope we give you a good season because you deserve it and to the freshman: come in and be happy with one another and you will experience it on the field.”