Q: WHAT/WHO GOT YOU INTERESTED IN SOCCER?
A: I started playing soccer when I was about 4 or 5 years old. We are a big soccer family, so my love for this sport has always been in my blood! My sisters and I all played soccer since we were little. I think my dad has a lot to do with developing my love for the game as well. He grew up playing soccer, so naturally he wanted to coach me from the beginning. I started playing rec soccer, then when I was 10 years old I played on a U-13 select team. Playing against girls that were 2 years older than me definitely helped me become a better player, both physically and mentally! Two years later, I left and started playing for several different premier teams.
Q: WHO WERE SOME OF YOUR ROLE MODELS YOU LOOKED TO WHILE GROWING UP?
A: Definitely the '99 USWNT! I loved Kristine Lilly, Mia Hamm, and especially Michelle Akers. I actually stole her nickname "Mufasa" to be put on the back of my powder-blue jersey for my rec team. I was OBSESSED! That World Cup team was amazing, and I loved watching every game they played. I think that was the first time women's soccer started gaining popularity.
A: I started playing soccer when I was about 4 or 5 years old. We are a big soccer family, so my love for this sport has always been in my blood! My sisters and I all played soccer since we were little. I think my dad has a lot to do with developing my love for the game as well. He grew up playing soccer, so naturally he wanted to coach me from the beginning. I started playing rec soccer, then when I was 10 years old I played on a U-13 select team. Playing against girls that were 2 years older than me definitely helped me become a better player, both physically and mentally! Two years later, I left and started playing for several different premier teams.
Q: WHO WERE SOME OF YOUR ROLE MODELS YOU LOOKED TO WHILE GROWING UP?
A: Definitely the '99 USWNT! I loved Kristine Lilly, Mia Hamm, and especially Michelle Akers. I actually stole her nickname "Mufasa" to be put on the back of my powder-blue jersey for my rec team. I was OBSESSED! That World Cup team was amazing, and I loved watching every game they played. I think that was the first time women's soccer started gaining popularity.
Q; WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR SPORT?
A: I think my favorite thing about soccer is that it's a universal love. It is shared by such a diverse group of people! I think the people that God brings into my life through soccer really has shaped me as a person, both on and off the pitch! From Sounders games in Seattle to Iceland Cup games in Reykjavik, I have seen a universal love for the sport. Great moment on the field are shared by everyone, from the fans to the coaches to the players. I think the best feeling in the world is stepping on the soccer field with my teammates... its that feeling of unity, hard work, and dedication to something we all love doing. The feeling of being a family is what I love most about soccer.
Q: HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR CAREER AS A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER?
A: After college ball, I was not happy with the way my senior year ended. Don't get me wrong, I loved my team and coaching staff. I just knew I didn't want to stop playing yet. I talked with my head coach and he helped me find someone who could help me take the next step. I got in contact with an agent my teammate had for the Seattle Sounders. I sent him some highlights of me playing for SPU, and I signed a contract with him. I trained with Sounders until graduation, then I moved back home and trained for three weeks until I left for Iceland. Its been a crazy journey to get to where I am, but I absolutely love my agent and my career! Could not have picked a better job after college.
A: I think my favorite thing about soccer is that it's a universal love. It is shared by such a diverse group of people! I think the people that God brings into my life through soccer really has shaped me as a person, both on and off the pitch! From Sounders games in Seattle to Iceland Cup games in Reykjavik, I have seen a universal love for the sport. Great moment on the field are shared by everyone, from the fans to the coaches to the players. I think the best feeling in the world is stepping on the soccer field with my teammates... its that feeling of unity, hard work, and dedication to something we all love doing. The feeling of being a family is what I love most about soccer.
Q: HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR CAREER AS A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER?
A: After college ball, I was not happy with the way my senior year ended. Don't get me wrong, I loved my team and coaching staff. I just knew I didn't want to stop playing yet. I talked with my head coach and he helped me find someone who could help me take the next step. I got in contact with an agent my teammate had for the Seattle Sounders. I sent him some highlights of me playing for SPU, and I signed a contract with him. I trained with Sounders until graduation, then I moved back home and trained for three weeks until I left for Iceland. Its been a crazy journey to get to where I am, but I absolutely love my agent and my career! Could not have picked a better job after college.
Q: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUNG PLAYERS WHO WANT TO BECOME PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYERS?
A: Find the best team, and be on it. Demand excellence from yourself. Persevere through the hard times, and never give up on your dreams. As a professional soccer player, I have made irreplaceable friendships on each team and unforgettable experiences I can carry with me forever. It is such an amazing journey that I wish everyone could have!
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PRE-GAME MEAL?
A: I always like having oatmeal with milk, nuts, and jam. Or a peanut butter and banana sandwich.
A: Find the best team, and be on it. Demand excellence from yourself. Persevere through the hard times, and never give up on your dreams. As a professional soccer player, I have made irreplaceable friendships on each team and unforgettable experiences I can carry with me forever. It is such an amazing journey that I wish everyone could have!
Q: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PRE-GAME MEAL?
A: I always like having oatmeal with milk, nuts, and jam. Or a peanut butter and banana sandwich.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LESSONS YOU HAVE LEARNED ON YOUR JOURNEY?
A: Wow, I have learned a TON from being overseas! I would definitely say that I have learned to be confident in my abilities as a soccer player. The pressure to perform is a constant thing, but I have learned to trust in my God and the talents He has given me in order to succeed. I also have learned YOU need to speak up for yourself because nobody else will. There have been times where I have forced myself to tell people what I need... money for food, soccer equipment, new cleats, clean clothes, etc. Odd are, when I tell them I need something they make a concerted effort to get it. On the traveling note, I have also learned that exploring a new city alone is one of the best ways to discover yourself.
Q: WHAT ARE THE BEST AND WORST PARTS OF MOVING TO NEW COUNTRIES?
A: Best parts for me are the team, the food, and the travel! The worst parts are definitely being away from everything familiar, trying to learn a new language, and not being able to see my friends and family. The time difference between Spokane and Kokkola, Finland is 10 hrs, so that makes it hard to Skype/FaceTime them as well!
A: Wow, I have learned a TON from being overseas! I would definitely say that I have learned to be confident in my abilities as a soccer player. The pressure to perform is a constant thing, but I have learned to trust in my God and the talents He has given me in order to succeed. I also have learned YOU need to speak up for yourself because nobody else will. There have been times where I have forced myself to tell people what I need... money for food, soccer equipment, new cleats, clean clothes, etc. Odd are, when I tell them I need something they make a concerted effort to get it. On the traveling note, I have also learned that exploring a new city alone is one of the best ways to discover yourself.
Q: WHAT ARE THE BEST AND WORST PARTS OF MOVING TO NEW COUNTRIES?
A: Best parts for me are the team, the food, and the travel! The worst parts are definitely being away from everything familiar, trying to learn a new language, and not being able to see my friends and family. The time difference between Spokane and Kokkola, Finland is 10 hrs, so that makes it hard to Skype/FaceTime them as well!