NCAA Players In the Spotlight
This section will showcase players that have excelled at the college level. Look for feature stories on some of the older, more experienced players in NCAA women's soccer.
September 13, 2011
Week 5: Krista Lopez
By: Ciara McCormack
Oklahoma State senior Krista Lopez’s long list of accomplishments would give the impression of a smooth methodical rise to college soccer excellence. In 2011 alone, the Carrollton, Texas native has been one of 30 women’s soccer players nominated for the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, recognizing the “total student-athlete who uses her platform in athletics to make a positive impact in their communities,” and leads the Cowgirls with five goals. With their highest ever ranking, Oklahoma State is undefeated at 9-0, having scored 19 goals and only given up one.
Lopez is coming off of a junior season where she was named NSCAA All-Central Region First Team, Big 12 First Team and All-Tournament team, ranking ninth in the country with 15 goals, and with her 4.0 GPA was also named an ESPN Academic All-America first team.
Yet Lopez’s story is one that is about persevering through adversity more than it is about an expected trajectory to success.
For Lopez, it started when she walked away from the game altogether for three months at the beginning of her junior year of high school.
“My dad had really high expectations of me and pushed me, as he believed in the importance of education and saw the potential of soccer to give that to me,” said Lopez. “At the time, I didn’t understand it, and so I stopped playing.”
Unfortunately for Lopez, the timing was tough. By the time she decided to start playing again a few months later, the crucial time in the recruiting season was over and she didn’t have very many options.
Lopez is coming off of a junior season where she was named NSCAA All-Central Region First Team, Big 12 First Team and All-Tournament team, ranking ninth in the country with 15 goals, and with her 4.0 GPA was also named an ESPN Academic All-America first team.
Yet Lopez’s story is one that is about persevering through adversity more than it is about an expected trajectory to success.
For Lopez, it started when she walked away from the game altogether for three months at the beginning of her junior year of high school.
“My dad had really high expectations of me and pushed me, as he believed in the importance of education and saw the potential of soccer to give that to me,” said Lopez. “At the time, I didn’t understand it, and so I stopped playing.”
Unfortunately for Lopez, the timing was tough. By the time she decided to start playing again a few months later, the crucial time in the recruiting season was over and she didn’t have very many options.
Photo courtesy of Oklahoma State Athletics
“Oklahoma State, Villanova, and the University of Houston were pretty much the only options I had,” she said. “I took a visit to Villanova, and I was ready to commit. My dad convinced me to take my visit to OSU just to make sure. I ended up really liking OSU, knew of a lot of the girls on the team as they were from Dallas, and just realized that being close to home was important for me.”
Lopez enrolled at OSU in the fall of 2008, but again she faced an uphill climb.
“The team was really talented from when I first arrived my freshman year,” she said. “I was the kind of player that was getting around 15 minutes a game. I just stressed myself out, and always felt I had to prove myself to the coaches to try and get myself more time.”
Things didn’t improve for Lopez in her sophomore year, when she started only one time, down from eight starts in her first year. She went from nine points her freshman year to just four in her sophomore campaign.
At the end of her disappointing sophomore year, the idea of transferring began to creep into her mind.
She came back for spring season her sophomore year undecided about what she would do. A strong sophomore spring where she was given more time on the field and felt her confidence beginning to bloom convinced her that staying in Stillwater was the right thing to do. Asked what advice she would give to other players in a similar position to her sophomore year, Lopez said, “I know it sounds cliché, but I would say to never give up. I was never a favored player and had to work hard for everything. I would say, just do it for you. I was so concerned about trying to impress other people. Once I just decided to do it for me, it helped me concentrate and just relax on the field, and that allowed for me to become confident. That confidence was definitely the missing ingredient my freshman and sophomore seasons.”
The question now for Lopez is, what comes next? With not only a long list of soccer accolades, Lopez also has a belief instilled in her by her father who is a native of the Philippines that soccer’s role has been to provide her with an education in order to springboard into a successful career.
“My plan after graduation was always to start a career,” she said. “After I had such a good junior season, my coach mentioned going overseas or trying to play professionally, which I hadn’t thought about before. I would say I am 50/50 right now in terms of what I will pursue.”
First, Lopez hopes to bring a national championship back to Stillwater.
“We set goals every year, and this year in our locker room, for the first time we have down ‘Win a National Championship.’ At first it was ‘Make a Sweet 16,’” she said. “Now that we came so close to making the Final Four last year, initially we had put down, ‘Make a Final Four’. But we thought about it and a few of us said, ‘if we’re going to go to the Final Four, we might as well try and win the whole thing.”
Citing a strong freshman class, not losing much from last year, and good team chemistry with many of the same characters from a highly successful 2010 season, Lopez believes that 2011 has exciting things in store for the Cowgirls.
“I’ve always believed that a team is as strong as their weakest link,” she said. “And usually that is the freshman. Our freshmen have been fantastic.”
Lopez continues to strive to set the bar high in her life on and off the field, and she feels that she has her father to thank for that.
“My dad and how hard he has pushed me has definitely made me into the person that I am. As I have gotten older, I have understood better how good his intentions have been,” Lopez said. “Part of why he pushed me so hard was to get an education, and he’s made me driven to be the best person that I can in every part of my life.”
After all that she has been through on and off the field, and the level of success she has achieved, it’s hard not to think of Krista Lopez as anything but a winner regardless of how the story of the 2011 season ends for the Cowgirls. One thing is for certain, somewhere in Texas, Mr. Lopez must be a very proud Dad.
Lopez enrolled at OSU in the fall of 2008, but again she faced an uphill climb.
“The team was really talented from when I first arrived my freshman year,” she said. “I was the kind of player that was getting around 15 minutes a game. I just stressed myself out, and always felt I had to prove myself to the coaches to try and get myself more time.”
Things didn’t improve for Lopez in her sophomore year, when she started only one time, down from eight starts in her first year. She went from nine points her freshman year to just four in her sophomore campaign.
At the end of her disappointing sophomore year, the idea of transferring began to creep into her mind.
She came back for spring season her sophomore year undecided about what she would do. A strong sophomore spring where she was given more time on the field and felt her confidence beginning to bloom convinced her that staying in Stillwater was the right thing to do. Asked what advice she would give to other players in a similar position to her sophomore year, Lopez said, “I know it sounds cliché, but I would say to never give up. I was never a favored player and had to work hard for everything. I would say, just do it for you. I was so concerned about trying to impress other people. Once I just decided to do it for me, it helped me concentrate and just relax on the field, and that allowed for me to become confident. That confidence was definitely the missing ingredient my freshman and sophomore seasons.”
The question now for Lopez is, what comes next? With not only a long list of soccer accolades, Lopez also has a belief instilled in her by her father who is a native of the Philippines that soccer’s role has been to provide her with an education in order to springboard into a successful career.
“My plan after graduation was always to start a career,” she said. “After I had such a good junior season, my coach mentioned going overseas or trying to play professionally, which I hadn’t thought about before. I would say I am 50/50 right now in terms of what I will pursue.”
First, Lopez hopes to bring a national championship back to Stillwater.
“We set goals every year, and this year in our locker room, for the first time we have down ‘Win a National Championship.’ At first it was ‘Make a Sweet 16,’” she said. “Now that we came so close to making the Final Four last year, initially we had put down, ‘Make a Final Four’. But we thought about it and a few of us said, ‘if we’re going to go to the Final Four, we might as well try and win the whole thing.”
Citing a strong freshman class, not losing much from last year, and good team chemistry with many of the same characters from a highly successful 2010 season, Lopez believes that 2011 has exciting things in store for the Cowgirls.
“I’ve always believed that a team is as strong as their weakest link,” she said. “And usually that is the freshman. Our freshmen have been fantastic.”
Lopez continues to strive to set the bar high in her life on and off the field, and she feels that she has her father to thank for that.
“My dad and how hard he has pushed me has definitely made me into the person that I am. As I have gotten older, I have understood better how good his intentions have been,” Lopez said. “Part of why he pushed me so hard was to get an education, and he’s made me driven to be the best person that I can in every part of my life.”
After all that she has been through on and off the field, and the level of success she has achieved, it’s hard not to think of Krista Lopez as anything but a winner regardless of how the story of the 2011 season ends for the Cowgirls. One thing is for certain, somewhere in Texas, Mr. Lopez must be a very proud Dad.
EXTRA
Quick Q/A with Oklahoma State Head Coach Colin Carmichael
1. What does Krista bring to the team on and off the field?
Krista is an unbelievable 1v1 player. She's the kind of player that when she gets the ball, you can hear the crowd get electric with excitement. She makes stuff happen on her own. Off the field she is a great leader, she takes the offseason very seriously and is really just an unbelievably well-rounded kid. She has really matured and developed into a very strong leader.
2. Krista only started 9 games between her freshman and sophomore years. What would you say about how she went from coming off the bench to having such an impact her junior, and now senior season?
Krista came from a club team where she had more of a freer role on the field. It took her some time to fit into our system and have her understand where she needed to be. We also switched her positionally from mid to wide forward. About 2 or 3 games into her junior year, we called her out and said she needed to score. She took it from us and the next game went out and scored, and hasn't looked back. It seems like she scores for fun now.
What I will say, and I think it says a lot about Krista as a person, that in her freshman and sophomore years when she wasn't starting she never complained, never came into our office. She is very competitive and you could see that it was eating her up inside, but she was always positive. She just continued to work very hard, and is a testament to good things happen to those that work hard. It's the kind of attitude that you want from every kid that is in that position.
Quick Q/A with Oklahoma State Head Coach Colin Carmichael
1. What does Krista bring to the team on and off the field?
Krista is an unbelievable 1v1 player. She's the kind of player that when she gets the ball, you can hear the crowd get electric with excitement. She makes stuff happen on her own. Off the field she is a great leader, she takes the offseason very seriously and is really just an unbelievably well-rounded kid. She has really matured and developed into a very strong leader.
2. Krista only started 9 games between her freshman and sophomore years. What would you say about how she went from coming off the bench to having such an impact her junior, and now senior season?
Krista came from a club team where she had more of a freer role on the field. It took her some time to fit into our system and have her understand where she needed to be. We also switched her positionally from mid to wide forward. About 2 or 3 games into her junior year, we called her out and said she needed to score. She took it from us and the next game went out and scored, and hasn't looked back. It seems like she scores for fun now.
What I will say, and I think it says a lot about Krista as a person, that in her freshman and sophomore years when she wasn't starting she never complained, never came into our office. She is very competitive and you could see that it was eating her up inside, but she was always positive. She just continued to work very hard, and is a testament to good things happen to those that work hard. It's the kind of attitude that you want from every kid that is in that position.
September 6, 2011
Week 4: Ingrid Wells
By: Nell Enriquez
Already six games into the season, and the Georgetown Hoyas are 4-2-0 and excited about what they have to bring to the table for the rest of the year. One of those table-toppers includes senior midfielder Ingrid Wells. With three goals and three assists in six games, she has gotten off to a great start for 2011.
Now a senior looking back, Wells' decision to attend Georgetown was an easy one, and she has much to be proud of when asked about some of the highlights in her college career thus far.
"Well, when I was looking at schools I signed up for Georgetown because it's a great academic school, and I like DC,” said Wells. “Also, team wise, I wanted to be part of a team that I could help establish. I knew this was going to be an up-and-coming program. That's kind of how I chose it. As far as highlights of my time at Georgetown, I'd probably say my freshman year. The first time we made it into NCAA's. So definitely that and then last year was amazing making it to the Elite Eight."
Now a senior looking back, Wells' decision to attend Georgetown was an easy one, and she has much to be proud of when asked about some of the highlights in her college career thus far.
"Well, when I was looking at schools I signed up for Georgetown because it's a great academic school, and I like DC,” said Wells. “Also, team wise, I wanted to be part of a team that I could help establish. I knew this was going to be an up-and-coming program. That's kind of how I chose it. As far as highlights of my time at Georgetown, I'd probably say my freshman year. The first time we made it into NCAA's. So definitely that and then last year was amazing making it to the Elite Eight."
Photo courtesy of Georgetown Athletics
Over the span of her career, the Upper Montclair, N.J. native has scored 22 goals with 34 assists totalling 78 points in three years and six games. Already holding the all-time assist spot in the school record books, Wells is also two points shy of the all-time points school record (80). If that wasn’t enough, she was recently named Preseason All-American by SoccerAmerica, a candidate for the 2011 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, and is on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch list for the third consecutive year. Usually unaware of all the recognition, she often hears about it from other people.
"Obviously it's a great honor to receive those (honors),” said Wells. “I usually find out from Mex (Carey, Hoyas Sports Information Director), or my dad, or Dave (Nolan), my coach. But really, me getting those awards is a reflection of how far this program has come. I'm thankful for them and for my team to also be honored by them."
What she is looking forward to most this season is being a leader on the squad. The 22-year-old has learned from last year's graduating class. It will be a different experience for her to say the least as she will be looked on as one to follow.
"Well, since I took off a season my sophomore year, and I'm graduating in December, I'm looking at it from a different perspective because I am older on the team,” said Wells. “The squad that I came in with graduated last year, and I think last year being on the team and watching them have their last season gave me a new perspective on how valuable my time is here and what I want to do with it.”
Wells' time off to participate in the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup gave her a new sense of the game and showed her how valuable those camps were. She has many memories and a gold medal from her experience along with a gratitude for her teammates.
"That was one of the best experiences I've ever had in my life. I was lucky to be a part of it,” said Wells. “It started spring my freshman year. I got invited to a few camps and by the end of the summer I was named to the final roster so I knew I was going to be missing school with all the events we were going to be attending and all the training camps so had to withdraw from school and obviously redshirt. But our team was definitely a family. We had such great chemistry on and off the field. I think that played a big part in why we won it.”
Standing a mere 5’2, Wells has used her unique attacking style and hunger to win to give her an edge on the pitch as well as the nickname “The Little General”.
"I really enjoy playing attacking center midfield because I feel like I get to be creative,” she said. “The whole attacking oriented part of my game is something I enjoy so it's definitely my position of choice. It's where I want to play.”
Graduating in December, Wells is already thinking about the next step and is aiming high.
"I want to play professionally,” she said. “I'm graduating in December so that's the plan. We'll see but yes I definitely want to play professionally after college."
Fun facts to get to know Ingrid:
• Favorite band: Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Favorite song: “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• What she likes to do in her spare time: Spend time with family and travel
Nell Enriquez is from the DC/Northern Virginia area. She grew up to be a soccer fanatic and still continues to play in recreational leagues in the area now. A professional photographer & graphic designer she decided to use her creative talents to cover soccer. She is the Editor-In-Chief at Pitchside Report.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/PitchsideReport
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pitchside-Report/264485066902255
"Obviously it's a great honor to receive those (honors),” said Wells. “I usually find out from Mex (Carey, Hoyas Sports Information Director), or my dad, or Dave (Nolan), my coach. But really, me getting those awards is a reflection of how far this program has come. I'm thankful for them and for my team to also be honored by them."
What she is looking forward to most this season is being a leader on the squad. The 22-year-old has learned from last year's graduating class. It will be a different experience for her to say the least as she will be looked on as one to follow.
"Well, since I took off a season my sophomore year, and I'm graduating in December, I'm looking at it from a different perspective because I am older on the team,” said Wells. “The squad that I came in with graduated last year, and I think last year being on the team and watching them have their last season gave me a new perspective on how valuable my time is here and what I want to do with it.”
Wells' time off to participate in the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup gave her a new sense of the game and showed her how valuable those camps were. She has many memories and a gold medal from her experience along with a gratitude for her teammates.
"That was one of the best experiences I've ever had in my life. I was lucky to be a part of it,” said Wells. “It started spring my freshman year. I got invited to a few camps and by the end of the summer I was named to the final roster so I knew I was going to be missing school with all the events we were going to be attending and all the training camps so had to withdraw from school and obviously redshirt. But our team was definitely a family. We had such great chemistry on and off the field. I think that played a big part in why we won it.”
Standing a mere 5’2, Wells has used her unique attacking style and hunger to win to give her an edge on the pitch as well as the nickname “The Little General”.
"I really enjoy playing attacking center midfield because I feel like I get to be creative,” she said. “The whole attacking oriented part of my game is something I enjoy so it's definitely my position of choice. It's where I want to play.”
Graduating in December, Wells is already thinking about the next step and is aiming high.
"I want to play professionally,” she said. “I'm graduating in December so that's the plan. We'll see but yes I definitely want to play professionally after college."
Fun facts to get to know Ingrid:
• Favorite band: Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Favorite song: “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd
• What she likes to do in her spare time: Spend time with family and travel
Nell Enriquez is from the DC/Northern Virginia area. She grew up to be a soccer fanatic and still continues to play in recreational leagues in the area now. A professional photographer & graphic designer she decided to use her creative talents to cover soccer. She is the Editor-In-Chief at Pitchside Report.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/PitchsideReport
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pitchside-Report/264485066902255
Aug. 30, 2011
Week 3: Jill Mastroianni
By: Ryan Wood
For senior goalkeeper Jill Mastroianni, the records and individual accomplishments she’s achieved over her four years at Boston College have taken a back seat. Her focus is now on the bigger picture and how it will look for years to come.
“We have so much talent this year and our program is built on hard work, and the seniors last year left such a strong legacy behind that we want to do the same,” Mastroianni said. “Because we reached such a high level, we know what this team is capable of and expect nothing less than reaching the Final Four again. The Final Four was monumental for this program’s history. I know our class wants more than anything to take this team to a national championship.”
“We have so much talent this year and our program is built on hard work, and the seniors last year left such a strong legacy behind that we want to do the same,” Mastroianni said. “Because we reached such a high level, we know what this team is capable of and expect nothing less than reaching the Final Four again. The Final Four was monumental for this program’s history. I know our class wants more than anything to take this team to a national championship.”
Jill Mastroianni (Photo by Ryan Wood)
The Eagles are coming off their best season in the program’s history. They reached the Final Four for the first time. They entered this season with their highest-ever preseason ranking – No. 4 in the nation in the NSCAA Top 25 poll. In last year’s final NSCAA poll, the Eagles were ranked No. 3.
“I think we put more pressure on ourselves than anyone else,” Mastroianni said, “especially since my senior class has improved each year starting with a Sweet 16 our freshman year, reaching the Elite 8 our sophomore year, and a Final Four our junior year. As a personal goal, I want to lead this team and leave behind a strong legacy myself. I want to know that in my four years I left everything I could on the field. I have been so lucky to have been led by captains such as Kelly Henderson and Hannah Cerrone that I just hope that I can lead as well as they did.”
Mastroianni is one of two captains (Alyssa Pember) on Boston College this season. She leads by example, but more so, Mastroianni is a vocal leader, constantly communicating with her defenders for the full 90 minutes.
“We always say that communication can prevent goals,” Mastroianni said. “It is so important that my back line and I are constantly talking because I can see the whole field whereas they can’t. Also when I am continually talking and communicating with my teammates it keeps me engaged and focused so I am constantly involved in the play even if I am 60 yards away from the ball.”
Whatever Mastroianni says on the field has obviously worked. The 20-year-old from Durham, Conn., has helped lead the Eagles to four straight tournament appearances, has started since the first game of her freshman season, and is just three shutouts away from breaking the program’s record (37, set by Courtney Schaeffer in 2000). Mastroianni credits numerous coaches for her success. With BC’s 1-0 win on Aug. 21 over Fairfield, Mastroianni became the all-time victory leader (50) at Boston College.
“I have been so lucky to have been trained by some amazing coaches. I grew up playing with boys and then switched to a premier girls team at 11. It started with my Coach Mike Howard who saw potential in me and made sure that I got the training I needed,” Mastroianni said. “My goalkeeper coaches, Paul DelloStritto and Rick Koczak, were both very different goalkeepers that improved and strengthened different parts of my games. They had me always training with boys and older keepers, too, which made me play at a higher level, which was hard but helped develop me into the player I am. They also instilled a strong mentality in me. They always said keepers had to be mentally tougher than anyone else, and I trained my mind just as hard as my body. I learned to focus and push myself when I had to deal with adversity. Coach Alison (Foley) has developed me even further and pushed me to the next level.”
In addition to the handful of coaches that have helped gel Mastroianni into the player she is today, a lot of credit goes to people closer to home.
“My parents and family have been so supportive of me all my life and have always encouraged me to follow my dreams,” she said. “They taught me to play with heart and passion, which has helped me both on and off the field, and I believe is the core of my success. I would never have accomplished what I have without them.”
What does the future hold for Mastroianni? She wants to continue her playing after college, but not until accomplishing one major goal.
“Playing professionally is definitely an aspiration of mine, but right now I am solely focused on my senior season and leading this team back to the Final Four,” she said. “I would love nothing more than to win a national championship.”
August 23, 2011
Week 2: Danielle Foxhoven
By: Dan Hajducky
When the average American sports fan thinks of Portland, Oregon, a few things come to mind. Overcast weather, rain, the Trailblazers, and Ducks football are common thoughts.
If that sports fan knows anything about college soccer, they might think of the University of Portland’s Women’s Soccer team.
It is no secret in the women’s soccer world that Portland is an elite program where future U.S. and Canadian women's national team players have honed their skills. The Pilots won the NCAA Division 1 championship in 2002 and 2005, and in 2011, they seem poised for another.
U.S. Women’s National Team members Tiffeny Milbrett, Shannon MacMillan, Stephanie Cox, Megan Rapinoe, and Michelle Enyeart were all Portland Pilots, as well as Canadian National Team stars Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt.
Looking to add her name to that prominent list: Danielle Foxhoven.
If that sports fan knows anything about college soccer, they might think of the University of Portland’s Women’s Soccer team.
It is no secret in the women’s soccer world that Portland is an elite program where future U.S. and Canadian women's national team players have honed their skills. The Pilots won the NCAA Division 1 championship in 2002 and 2005, and in 2011, they seem poised for another.
U.S. Women’s National Team members Tiffeny Milbrett, Shannon MacMillan, Stephanie Cox, Megan Rapinoe, and Michelle Enyeart were all Portland Pilots, as well as Canadian National Team stars Christine Sinclair and Sophie Schmidt.
Looking to add her name to that prominent list: Danielle Foxhoven.
University of Portland Athletics
Foxhoven, a senior forward at Portland, is running out of room on her trophy shelf. In her first year at Portland, she was named to three freshman All-American teams, earned All-WCC First Team honors, and was the WCC Freshman of the Year. Since then, Foxhoven has been named to multiple All-American, All-Region, and All-League teams, as well as Academic All-American teams.
She has led both her team and the league in scoring twice in her career. As a sophomore, Foxhoven had her best season as a Pilot, compiling 25 goals and 12 assists (62 points).
What might be most impressive about Foxhoven is that in her three years at Portland, she has never missed a game. She has played in 67 straight until this point.
Keelin Winters, a former Portland teammate and a current Boston Breaker, still gushes about Foxhoven’s talent. "I think what separates Dani from other players is her knack to be in the right place at the right time,” said Winters. “She has some of the best instincts out of any player I've played with. She may not be the fastest player on the field, but she always finds a way to beat someone and score."
For someone that has been heralded as one of the top players in the country at the high school and youth level and has been honored as one of the best collegiate players in America…what is there left to accomplish?
“The team, the girls, the tradition and history of UP [is] unlike any other,” said Foxhoven. “The only goal I have for this season is for this team to win a national championship.
Currently sixth on Portland’s all-time scoring list, Foxhoven is extremely even-keeled. When asked about her favorite moment, in a career that has already had dozens of legendary moments, she isn’t able to discern one.
“I really don’t think that I can say one experience is more memorable than the other. I have had the opportunity to play in front of the country’s best crowd at Merlo [Field, ed note. Portland’s home field]. I will miss playing [at] Merlo in front of our fans. We have the best fans in the country and Merlo is the best field in the country. I will miss being a part of the program every day, and I will sure as heck miss the team. ”
This past summer, Foxhoven played with the Colorado Rush of the W-League and the U-23 U.S. Women’s National Team. Foxhoven said that even when she graduates in May with a degree in Marketing and Management, she wants to continue to play soccer.
“If the WPS is still up, I would like to play in the WPS first,” she said. “If that does not work out, then I will consider going overseas.”
And the National Team?
“I absolutely have aspirations on being on the full team some day,” Foxhoven said. “I would like to continue to play soccer for as long as possible and it would be an honor to be able to play at the level of the players who have come through UP before me.”
With a career like the one Foxhoven has had, it’s likely that one day young girls will be trying to emulate her. What is her advice for them?
“Only honest work will help you achieve your goals,” she said.
Coming from someone who has just been named a Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award nominee, a Soccer America Preseason All-American, a MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List candidate, and Preseason All-League again…that might be some good advice to take.
"She's a great leader and an extremely determined person. Once she sets her mind to do something she's gonna do it one way or another,” Winters said of Foxhoven.
Foxhoven has had three impressive seasons at Portland, and already started adding to that by scoring two goals to push the Pilots past then No. 3 Florida State University over the weekend.
One thing is definitely for certain: if you haven’t heard of Danielle Foxhoven until just now, you might want to get used to hearing it.
There are only good things to come.
She has led both her team and the league in scoring twice in her career. As a sophomore, Foxhoven had her best season as a Pilot, compiling 25 goals and 12 assists (62 points).
What might be most impressive about Foxhoven is that in her three years at Portland, she has never missed a game. She has played in 67 straight until this point.
Keelin Winters, a former Portland teammate and a current Boston Breaker, still gushes about Foxhoven’s talent. "I think what separates Dani from other players is her knack to be in the right place at the right time,” said Winters. “She has some of the best instincts out of any player I've played with. She may not be the fastest player on the field, but she always finds a way to beat someone and score."
For someone that has been heralded as one of the top players in the country at the high school and youth level and has been honored as one of the best collegiate players in America…what is there left to accomplish?
“The team, the girls, the tradition and history of UP [is] unlike any other,” said Foxhoven. “The only goal I have for this season is for this team to win a national championship.
Currently sixth on Portland’s all-time scoring list, Foxhoven is extremely even-keeled. When asked about her favorite moment, in a career that has already had dozens of legendary moments, she isn’t able to discern one.
“I really don’t think that I can say one experience is more memorable than the other. I have had the opportunity to play in front of the country’s best crowd at Merlo [Field, ed note. Portland’s home field]. I will miss playing [at] Merlo in front of our fans. We have the best fans in the country and Merlo is the best field in the country. I will miss being a part of the program every day, and I will sure as heck miss the team. ”
This past summer, Foxhoven played with the Colorado Rush of the W-League and the U-23 U.S. Women’s National Team. Foxhoven said that even when she graduates in May with a degree in Marketing and Management, she wants to continue to play soccer.
“If the WPS is still up, I would like to play in the WPS first,” she said. “If that does not work out, then I will consider going overseas.”
And the National Team?
“I absolutely have aspirations on being on the full team some day,” Foxhoven said. “I would like to continue to play soccer for as long as possible and it would be an honor to be able to play at the level of the players who have come through UP before me.”
With a career like the one Foxhoven has had, it’s likely that one day young girls will be trying to emulate her. What is her advice for them?
“Only honest work will help you achieve your goals,” she said.
Coming from someone who has just been named a Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award nominee, a Soccer America Preseason All-American, a MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List candidate, and Preseason All-League again…that might be some good advice to take.
"She's a great leader and an extremely determined person. Once she sets her mind to do something she's gonna do it one way or another,” Winters said of Foxhoven.
Foxhoven has had three impressive seasons at Portland, and already started adding to that by scoring two goals to push the Pilots past then No. 3 Florida State University over the weekend.
One thing is definitely for certain: if you haven’t heard of Danielle Foxhoven until just now, you might want to get used to hearing it.
There are only good things to come.
August 16, 2011
Week 1: Melissa Henderson
By: Tiffany Weimer
When soccer fans think of all the legendary players that have come out of South Bend, Indiana, home of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, alumni like Kate Markgraf, Anne Makinen, Monica Gonzalez and current Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) stars like Shannon Boxx, Candace Chapman, Brittany Bock, and Carrie Dew usually come to mind quickly.
The past three years have been something special for senior forward Melissa Henderson, as she looks to cement her name in that group of players after the 2011 season.
Henderson, a 22-year-old from Garland, Texas, first arrived on campus in South Bend as a freshman in 2008. The choice to attend Notre Dame became apparent early on in the recruiting process.
The past three years have been something special for senior forward Melissa Henderson, as she looks to cement her name in that group of players after the 2011 season.
Henderson, a 22-year-old from Garland, Texas, first arrived on campus in South Bend as a freshman in 2008. The choice to attend Notre Dame became apparent early on in the recruiting process.
Photo courtesy of Matt Cashore
“The other main school that I had been considering was UNC. I had grown up wanting to play there, but ironically when Notre Dame came into the picture, everything seemed to change,” said Henderson. “The tradition, atmosphere, academics, athletics and overall essence of the University of Notre Dame are astonishing. Attending Notre Dame is one of the best decisions I ever made.”
That decision proved to be invaluable, as she tallied 17 goals and 2 assists in her first season, which for any player is extremely impressive, nevermind a freshman. She would then go on to score 18 goals (5 assists) her sophomore year and 17 goals (11 assists) her junior year. That brings her three-year total to 52 goals and 18 assists, which is currently 15th in school history.
These types of contributions were no surprise for Head Coach Randy Waldrum though as he had watched Henderson several times prior to her first game in gold and blue. When he went to watch Jessica Schuveiller and Courtney Barg (also seniors) playing for the Dallas Texans, Henderson always stood out.
“Melissa scored goals just about every time I saw her play, and her speed and athleticism along with her soccer talent was just a level above everyone else,” said Waldrum.
A three-time NSCAA All-American, runner-up for the MAC Hermann Trophy, and the 2010 Honda Award winner, Henderson has been rewarded handsomely for her on-field exploits. Also included in those accolades is a 2011 ESPY award nomination for Best Female College Athlete. This was her second nomination for an ESPY, the first one coming during her junior year of high school for Gatorade Female High School Athlete of the Year.
“I was actually supposed to leave for Brazil for the Pan American Games, so I wasn't able to attend the ESPYs my first year (2007),” said Henderson. “I ended up getting injured right before we left so when I found out I wouldn't be able to play it was too late to go. When I went this past summer with my older brother Jason, it was a blast. It was definitely an experience that I wanted to share with the person who is responsible for me even wanting to play soccer.”
Despite all the individual awards and media attention, Henderson remains grounded and extremely humble. Her goals for the upcoming season focus mostly on team and not herself, a trait that has become synonymous with Notre Dame women’s soccer players.
“I am surrounded by not only talented players, but some of the most humble, genuine people I have ever met,” said Henderson. “We all want the same thing and are focused only on trying to bring back-to-back women's soccer national championships to Notre Dame for the first time.”
With her focus on the team’s success, Henderson can rely on Coach Waldrum to push her on an individual level, something that the two have discussed in the past.
“We set the bar high here at Notre Dame and last year we spoke of her setting 20 plus goals as a bar and winning the Hermann Trophy,” said Waldrum. “She didn't quite get there, but I think in my mind she was last year’s Hermann Trophy winner. She clearly out-played Christen Press on the biggest stage when it counted. Now having said this, Christen certainly had a great year as well. Most importantly though, is that she plays well enough to lead us back to another National Championship.”
After scoring four goals in each of Notre Dame’s first two exhibition matches for the 2011 season (4-0 win over Nebraska and 7-5 win over Virginia), Henderson seems to be well on her way to not only accomplishing her team goals, but also surpassing the expectations of her coach.
With the potential of winning back-to-back national championships for a program that has never done so in the past, Henderson would like to leave behind a legacy greater than championships or individual awards, greater than anything she could ever accomplish on her own.
“I would love to be remembered for being part of a team whose goals and inspirations were limitless, whose hard work and determination were timeless,” she said. “Also, that I was part of a group of teammates that realized they weren't only playing for themselves, but for each other.”
Although she will be remembered for a lot of her individual accomplishments, Henderson looks to continue her success at the next level, with a great deal of support from Coach Waldrum.
“I believe the future is bright for Mel with the next cycle of players who are brought in for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” he said. “If WPS survives, and we all hope it does, then she'll be a star in that league.”
