Our Freshman Interviews section will showcase short interviews with first-year collegiate players to give an inside look at life as a freshman. 

2. Why do you play soccer? 
I was born in London, and my brothers played. I wanted to copy everything they did, so I used to go and play on the field behind our house with them. I started playing on a team at four (years old), and I have been playing since because I love it a lot.

3. As one of the top freshmen in the country, what do you feel are your strengths?
I am left-footed, which is less rare now, but still not as many players are. Also, my pace. I can keep and catch up with most players. 

4. Why did you choose Stanford? 
I am from Texas, and I always wanted to move to California. I came for a visit and loved the campus; also the girls were so sweet. I love the direction that coach is going in. Of course the academics are so strong so it was the best of both worlds.

5. Describe your first start for Stanford.
I was asked at a practice before the game if I wanted to start or come off the bench. I was shocked because I had been practicing on the sub side. I was so nervous to start because it was a home game and I had never played in front of a big crowd. I eventually calmed down and just played. (Chioma had an assist in this game.) 

6. And how about that first goal?  
It was really fun to get my first college goal. I didn’t realize it was my first until I heard the announcer say it then I thought that was really cool. 

7. What do you think of the games Stanford has played so far? 
So far we have played really well together. The chemistry is great. Anyone on this team can start and that is really awesome. I’ve never played on a team with so much talent. 

8. Who is your favorite U.S. Women’s National Team player and why?
My favorite women’s player is Lauren Cheney because she contributes in so many ways. She is a natural forward but works so hard that she plays awesome in the midfield also. My favorite men’s player is Landon Donovan because he is just awesome. I also got to meet him. That was really cool.

9. What are your goals this season (personally and for the team)? 
Our team goal is to win the PAC 12 and to get back to the national championship, but this time to finish with the win! I am sticking with those goals for myself too.

10. What are you planning on studying at Stanford? 
Pre-Med

11. What advice would you give to girls in high school?
It is a lot of work, but for me there isn’t a day that this isn’t fun. Remember that this is something that you love so that it doesn’t just become work. Don’t be just focused on winning because it is fun! Also, work hard on becoming a better player. 

2. Why did you choose Kentucky over some of the other schools that recruited you like Stanford, South Carolina, and Florida?
“Actually, I did not want to go to Kentucky at all. I wanted to go to Stanford. I wanted to be as far away as possible because I only live 20 minutes away from Kentucky. It’s home for me. Who wants to do that? But I took a visit, and I fell in love. It’s been awesome. And living 20 minutes away isn’t that bad. I get home-cooked meals, get my laundry done for free.”

3. You scored the game-winning goal against Eastern Kentucky in Kentucky’s home-opener. More importantly, what was it like having your mother (Letita, who has stage IV liver cancer) there to watch you play?
“It was definitely really good, aside from the first goal, which was my fault. The coach (Lipsitz) then moved me up top, and I was working my butt off to get in position (to score). I know my mom was all excited. She wasn’t feeling good that day - she just had chemo the day before - so to be able to score was awesome. And she did the whole mom thing after, taking a bunch of pictures. She was so excited.”

4. This season seems to be starting out quite well for you. Did it help getting a jump start in the spring seeing that you graduated high school early?
“I would recommend for any incoming athlete to come early. You get a feel for the people on your team. I knew my incoming class, it was getting to know the other girls. You have to have that down. Knowing the players is a big thing.”

5. You list your favorite player as Megan Rapinoe. What is it about Rapinoe that makes her your favorite?
“Overall, she is absolutely ridiculous. The ball literally sticks to her foot. She’s just one of those hardworking players. She gets it done. She dribbles through people and she never loses it.”

6. What was your experience like in Spain with the U-20s this past spring?
“It was absolutely awesome, and the coaching staff is so good. All the girls on the team were great. To get called in, it’s mind-blowing. You miss out on a lot of high school and college things, but in the long run, it’s worth it.

7. You played for World Cup champion coach Tony DiCicco at the 2009 adidas ESP camp. What was that experience like?
“Tony DiCicco was really intimidating, but he was awesome. He’s so knowledgeable. He knows exactly what he’s talking about, and he had fun. Knowing his whole soccer background, it was an awesome experience. I’ll never forget that.”

8. Looking down the road, what are your goals and what would you like to accomplish?
“I plan on making it to the next level of the national team and (2012 U-20) World Cup. In the future, I really want to play professional soccer. I want to play in a World Cup game, and I want to play in the Olympics.”

 2) How have the first few weeks of college soccer been for you? Is it what you expected?
College preseason and the first few games of the season are exactly what I expected from a Division I team in the ACC. The practices are challenging and competitive, making everyone better and preparing us for the matches.

3) What do you think you’ll miss most from home?
I’ll miss my family and friends the most as well as the weather. The humidity is something I've never had to deal with before!

4) What’s your favorite part of the school so far?
Our athletic department. The staff is amazing in taking care of every player, and our stadium field is one of the best I’ve played on. (Also, I haven’t started classes yet).

5) You played for a club team in Washington, as well as your club teams from home. Do you think you were prepared well for this level?
I was prepared for this level due to the fact I had been training in the U-20 national team led by April Heinrichs and Steve Swanson. I owe a lot of my skill to my club coaches Mike Oliver, John Oliver, and Mark Cascolan, who took personal time to work with me one-on-one.

6) You come from a family full of athletes. How has that helped you as an elite athlete?
My dad, Gardner Cobb, was a successful college football player and set many high school records in track and wrestling. He was able to see my athletic ability at a young age, and since he had previous experience in college sports, he knew what it took to reach that level. He was my best fan and hardest critic. He was completely honest with me, (and) if I had a bad day or didn't give enough, he made sure to let me know. He trained with me for hours, giving up his own personal time to run me or work on shooting. I wouldn't be the player I am without my family and their support.

7) What was your experience like with the U.S. U-20s?
My experience with the U-20s has greatly added to my growth as a player. We were able to attend a tournament in La Manga, Spain in which we played Sweden, Norway, England and scrimmaged France. Playing international soccer is a wonderful opportunity in being able to see the growth and level other nations are at as well as their playing style. April Heinrichs has been able to bring players like Mia Hamm into training camps to meet and share with us.

8) What are your goals for this season with Duke? With the U-20s? And beyond college?
My goals this year for Duke are to be able to attend the Elite Eight and be one of the top scorers within the team. My goal for the U20s is to hopefully win the U-20 World Cup. I currently have no goals for after college except to someday play on the full national team.

9) Do you know what you want to study yet? Anything in mind?
I currently plan on becoming a nurse, and Duke offers one of the greatest medical programs in all of the country.

10)  Finally, describe your playing style.
I would describe my style of play as a quick counter attacking forward who loves 1v1s and shooting!!

1. Describe your World Cup experience.
It is so hard to put in words what the experience was like. The World Cup was amazing. It is very hard to explain what it was like to play in front of such huge crowds. We were treated like royalty.  It was just an amazing experience. Getting on the field was the highlight, along with playing with the greatest players. Playing in the World Cup is the ultimate goal in soccer.

2. Compare the Women’s World Cup to the Youth World Cups you have been part of.
The Women’s World Cup is a huge step up in game level from the youth tournaments, along with how great the importance of the Women’s World Cup is. We also received so much support from the people of Germany.

3. How does your World Cup experience translate to college soccer?
I will be bringing in the international experience I have, but college will be a great challenge. I will be taking in and learning what college soccer is all about.

4. How has the change been for you during the summer and preseason from World Cup to U.S. college soccer?
The change has been massive in every aspect; it is a different culture, a massive new group of different people and a totally different style of coaching.

5. Why did you choose UCLA?
UCLA kind of chose me. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I when I left school. I got the opportunity and could not refuse it.

6. UCLA has been considered one of the top recruiting classes of the 2011 season, how do you turn that into success on the field?
There are a whole bunch of new people on the team. It will take time to connect as a team. We have had a lot of training together and a lot of time together.  The success will come naturally with time.

7. Describe your first day of UCLA soccer:
My first day was very nerve racking. I didn’t know anyone, but everyone was really nice and now I have made some friends.

8. How do you plan to balance school and soccer with qualifying for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and possibly playing in the Olympics?
I will have to focus on time management, staying organized, and on top of things. I will also have to have open communication between myself, and my coaches at UCLA and New Zealand.

9. What are your goals for this season personally and as a team?
We feel like we can win the national championship, for sure a number one goal. My personal goals are to do well for the team and score goals, improve as a player and take in all the experiences that I can.  

10. I know it is early, but what are your goals for once you graduate from UCLA?
Eventually play professionally at some stage in soccer.

11. Besides soccer, what do you most look forward to here in the U.S. and in Los Angeles?
I am looking forward to getting to know L.A. I also look forward to getting to know new people and to get the real U.S. college experience.

12. What are some of your favorite things to do outside of soccer?
I love to go to the beach, go surfing, and spending time with friends. I really love being outside and just hanging out.

1. Why did you choose to attend UVA? How has preseason been so far?

UVA has everything I could ever want.  A beautiful campus, excellent academics, and an outstanding soccer program.  Preseason has been a great experience for our team, and has helped our team develop on and off the field.

2. Your resume of credentials is far too long to list. In your mind, which of these awards has been the most important for you to receive.

Any of the player of the year awards are the most important, but for me the Gatorade Athlete of the Year has been the most important one that I have received.  It is not only based on athletic ability, but it is also based on character and academic achievements.

3. You were awarded the Gatorade Athlete of the Year at the ESPYs. What were the ESPYs like? (Side note- how did you decide what to wear!)

The ESPYs was an amazing event to attend.  I enjoyed being surrounded by so many famous athletes that I have admired throughout my childhood years.   I shopped at numerous stores until I found the right dress the day before we left!

4. Cat Whitehill came to your school to present you with the Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year award. What was it like to have such an influential women’s soccer player at your high school? If you could have any athlete present you with an award who would it be and why?

I always watched Cat Whitehill play with the Women’s National Team, and I have admired her ever since.  When she came to my school, it was great to meet her and get to know her as a person.  I would have been honored by any athlete who presented me with the award.

5. You had a 3.8  GPA in high school. What an amazing feat with all of your soccer commitments. What was your favorite subject in high school and why? Do you have any idea of potential majors in at UVA?

My favorite subject in high school was Calculus because I love math, I loved my teacher, and I understand the subject well.  I am going to try to take a variety of classes offered here at UVA to explore my interests.  I love science and math.

6. Community service seems to be an important aspect of your life outside soccer. What has been your most memorable community service experience throughout high school?

My most memorable community service experience was last summer when my friends and I from the U-17 Women’s National Team traveled to Orlando to raise money for the Many Hearts, One Goal Foundation.  We spent a week in Orlando spending time with the Haitian girls whose homes had been destroyed by the earthquake in January 2010.

7. Who is your favorite player on the National Team right now and why?

Lauren Cheney and Megan Rapinoe are my favorite players on the National Team right now because they are technical players who have great vision and have a true soccer brain.  

8. What is your advice for any younger girls playing the game? What are your favorite drills to do when you’re training alone?

My advice for any younger girls playing the game would be to believe in yourself and hard work does not take talent.  Growing up I have always been told to never let anyone tell you you can’t do something.  My favorite drills are technical ladders and dribbling through cones.