With their first season as college soccer players under way, the freshman soccer players said they have grown in unity as a team.
Freshman Ekaterina Herrod, from Utah, expressed her excitement for the season and how grateful she is to “have an atmosphere where the people have the same faith. Just being in a good atmosphere where I don’t have to be constantly fighting for my beliefs is a huge thing.”
Herrod never thought of playing college ball until she started her high school soccer career when she made it a goal to play soccer at BYU–Hawaii. “Looking back, it’s crazy to think that I’m here playing a college sport in Hawaii at a faith-building school where we are more focused on being better individuals, not just as soccer players but being the best person that we can be,” said Herrod.
The team is welcoming 12 incoming freshman players this season. “The dynamic of all freshmen is really cool,” said Herrod, “because we all come in with the same mindset of working hard, so we help each other stay focused.”
Herrod said the bond between the girls has been one of the biggest strengths of the team. “We all have similar goals and mindset,” said Herrod, “not just on the field but in life. Everyone comes in wanting to go to practice and wanting to do better and be the best.”
With such a strong bond between the team, Roxane Dennis, a freshman majoring in elementary education from Missouri, said the teammates have all adopted the mindset that “everyone is in it to win it.” Dennis said she has been planning on playing soccer at BYUH since a very young age.
Dennis said one of her favorite things about playing here is “some schools don’t have the opportunity we have. We see each other everyday for practice, but we also see each other on the weekends for church. We’ve bonded so much because we’re together so much.”
The emphasis on team bonding has been critical for this pre-season. Dennis said, “Team bonding is as important as practice. If you have 12 great players who don’t have a bond, you will lose the ball every time because there will be no communication. Bonding has definitely brought us together as a team because we know how each other plays, so when we are on the field, it’s easier for us to communicate.”
Daryl Kaufusi, a freshman with an undecided major from Utah, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming season. “The pre-season was so much fun, and the environment of the team is really awesome,” said Kaufusi. “Everyone gets along really well and we all have fun with each other.”
With their official season started, Kaufusi said, “We all push each other and go really hard in practice. We stay focused so during our games we can be calm.” During every practice Kaufusi said Head Coach Mark Davis makes sure to tell the girls to “stay dialed in and focused. Be ready and keep your composure.”
Look for their upcoming home game against Hawai’i Hilo on Saturday, Sept. 12 at noon.