Aug. 27, 2008
Meet the UK Women’s Soccer Freshman
Samantha Au
Suwanee , Ga. ( North Gwinnett )
Redshirt freshman … 2007 Freshman Academic All-SEC … 2007 Georgia Scholar Athlete of the Year … Finished high school career as second leading goal scorer with 84
Q&A
Paper or Plastic?
Plastic because I made an entire raft out of Gatorade PLASTIC bottles, and sailed down the Chattahoochee River with it.
What was your favorite game growing up?
Man-Hunt with the neighborhood kids.
What’s your definition of a true hero?
Putting someone else before yourself.
If you could spend two weeks anywhere in the world, where would you spend them?
If it was my last two weeks in the world, I would spend it with my friends and family in Suwanee , Ga. and Kentucky . But if it was just two weeks for fun I would want to go to some where cool like Guam .
What makes a team, a team?
People that care about each other and share a common goal
Courtney Blake
Fort Wayne , Ind. (R. Nelson Snider)
First Team Summit Athletic Conference, 2007 and 2006 … News Sentinel Player of the Year, 2006 … Snider High School Girls’ Soccer MVP, 2007 and 2006
Q&A
Would you rather be on Dancing with the Stars or American Idol?
Dancing with the Stars for sure! I think the way that the people dance on that show is amazing and I would love to be able to do that. Plus singing is not my cup of tea.
What’s your single biggest fear?
Roller Coasters!! Do not even make me get in line or it will not end well!
Most interesting thing I did this summer?
I went to a Rascal Flatts concert.
What was the last movie to bring you tears?
“What Happens in Vegas” with Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz. I laughed so hard I cried. Ashton is awesome!
What makes a team, a team?
Becoming a family. Yes there may be talented girls that you play with and win, but it is not any fun unless you are happy off the field also.
Laura Burton
Pleasanton , Calif. ( Amador Valley )
Amadon Newspaper Girls’ Soccer MVP, 2007-08 and 2005-06 … First Team Tri-Valley All-League, 2007-08 … Helped lead club team, Mustang Fury, to 2007 Blues Cup Championship
Q&A
What’s the most interesting thing you did this summer?
I went to Hawaii and learned how to surf.
Who are some heroes in your life?
My Grandpa, he taught me to be optimistic about life and to never give up.
If you were Wiley E. Coyote, how would you catch the Roadrunner?
I’d make him his favorite food and catch him chowing down on it.
Do you give back to your community? How?
Yes, I volunteer with the elderly and play bingo with them. Also, I worked at the science fun fair every year with elementary students. I take food to the homeless in San Francisco , work at church camps, take my dog Whisper to the Masonic home, and I work with special education students at a local home
Who is your all-time favorite president?
John Adams because he influenced the 13 colonies and united them as “one” to become the United States .
Adriana Gallo
Niagara Falls , Ontario ( St. Paul Catholic)
2007 Gold Medalists in the Ontario Federation Secondary Schools (OFSSA) … 2006 Silver Medalists OFSSA … During the 2007 club season, helped lead the Mississauga Saints to five championships
Q&A
Describe an event that helped shape you as a person.
Being chosen to Team Ontario , it taught me discipline, structure and it helped me time manage very well.
If you were elected President of the United States , what would be the first thing you would do?
I’m Canadian so I don’t think I could run for President of the United States .
If you didn’t have soccer, what would you like to do after college?
Travel the world.
Do you give back to your community? How?
I helped by volunteering at the Food Bank during the school year. I also coached a girls’ soccer team.
What makes a team, a team?
Their chemistry and positive attitudes.
Jenna Goblirsch
Elizabethtown , Ky. ( Elizabethtown )
Kentucky ‘s Miss Soccer, 2007 … All-American, 2007 … Gatorade Player of the Year, 2007
Q&A
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
Life in the Fast Lane by The Eagles
Describe an event that helped shape you as a person.
Learning how to juggle basketball and club soccer during high school and doing both at a high level.
What’s the most interesting thing you did this summer?
Watched my brother’s team win regionals, and go to nationals.
Do you give back to your community? How?
I have been a sponsor for Big Brothers-Big Sisters for the last few years and local youth sports kids I mentor.
What makes a team, a team?
A group of trusted friends working together to achieve a common goal
Cady Holbrook
Beavercreek , Ohio ( Beavercreek )
Rae Burrick Nominee, 2008 … Helped lead Beavercreek HS to Division I State Finalist finish as well as League and Region Championships, 2006 … Club team, Classics Hammer FC, were OH-S State Cup Finalists, 2007 and champions in 2006-04 and 2002
Q&A
What’s your single biggest fear?
I hate knives!
Describe an event that helped shape you as a person.
I broke my nose in a soccer game and had to get surgery. I was out for the rest of the season and it was a struggle to get all of my confidence back, but in the end it made me stronger than before.
What’s the worst feeling in the world
? Getting a flu test, they stick this big tube up your nose and I swear it goes into your brain!
What is your favorite UK soccer moment?
Being on ESPN’s College Game Day when I was on my official visit.
What makes a team, a team?
Working together to accomplish a common goal
Ashley James
Baldwin , N.Y. (St. Dominic)
St. Dominic MVP, 2007 and 2006 … High School Outstanding Player Award, 2005 and 2004 … Finished senior season with 28 goals in 14 games including three hat tricks
Q&A
What’s your definition of a true hero?
Someone who genuinely can change people for the better and not just save them for the moment. For example, a counselor at a rehab clinic is more of a hero to me than a police officer.
If you didn’t have soccer, what would you like to do after college?
I would like to be an F.B.I agent.
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
Peanut Butter Jelly Time
What is your favorite UK soccer moment?
Watching Megan Jones do the Gator clap after scoring against Florida .
What makes a team, a team?
Understanding each other and dealing with one another so that you all can get a mutual pride of being a part of the team.
Catie Lester
Chattanooga , Tenn. (Girls’ Preparatory)
All-State, 2008 … Chattanooga Best of Preps, 2008 and 2007 … Starter for Tennessee squad in the 2008 Tennessee-Georgia All-Star Championship
Q&A
What’s the most interesting thing you did this summer?
Traveled to Colo./Utah with my family. We went to the Salt Lake City for a Trombone festival.
What’s your definition of a true hero?
A person who shows courage and gains respect in the face of adversity.
If you were Wiley E. Coyote, how would you catch the Roadrunner?
Shoot him with a tranquilizer.
If you could spend two weeks anywhere in the world, where would you spend them?
Scandinavia . Norway or Sweden . I would like to live there at some point in my life.
What makes a team, a team?
The bond that the members hold with each other and the chemistry they have together.
Kiondra McGee
Cincinnati , Ohio ( Ursuline Academy )
NSCAA/adidas All-American, 2007 … Cincinnati Enquirer Player of the Year and First Team All-Star, 2007 … All-Southwest Ohio Player of the Year, 2007
Q&A
Describe an event that helped shape you as a person.
At one point in my soccer career, my Dad refused to come to my games because he said I wasn’t playing with enough effort. Ever since then I’ve played with 100% every game.
Have any of your family members won any significant awards?
My dad played in the NFL and has won many awards.
What’s your definition of a true hero?
Someone who inspires others to be better people.
What’s your favorite smell?
Food
What makes a team, a team?
Communication and Chemistry
Cassie Phillips
Papillion , Neb. (Papillion-LaVista South)
Redshirt freshman … 2007 All Academic All-SEC … A three-time honorable mention all-state performer from 2004-06 … Club background includes playing for the Toro Magic in 2006, winning the state cup title
Q&A
If you were Wiley E. Coyote, how would you catch the Roadrunner?
Dress up as Miss Roadrunner and go on a date and then trap him in!
You’re on a highway in the middle of nowhere and your car gets a flat. Which teammate do you call to come change it?
First, I would call Kelly Browning just to watch her attempt to change a tire to get a good laugh, and then I would call Nova to get the job done.
Do you give back to your community? How?
I help coaches train little girls in soccer; and back home I’m a counselor for a child that has muscular dystrophy.
If you didn’t have soccer, what would you like to do after college?
Go to medical school and become a doctor specializing in orthopedics.
Do you understand how a bill becomes a law?
People are going to think I’m the biggest nerd EVER but I think I do know … A bill is proposed and then it has to be passed by both the house and the senate and once the two houses of congress approve of the bill it’s then sent to the president and if he signs it, the bill becomes a law … if the president vetoes the bill, it is sent back to both parts of congress to be revised and approved again and that process just keeps going on forever … but if the president doesn’t read and sign the bill in a certain amount of days the bill automatically becomes a law … is that right???
Emily Rodgers
Etobicoke , Ontario (Lockerby Composite)
Helped lead Lockerby Composite to Northern Ontario Secondary School Athletics (NOSSA) Senior Girls Soccer Championship, 2004-07 … Ontario Federation of School Athletics Association (OFSAA) Senior Girls’ Soccer Champions, 2004-05 … Top scorer in Sudbury Public High School League with 13 goals, 2007
Q&A
Describe an event that helped shape you as a person.
Last year I lost my best friend unexpectedly. The experience allowed me to define what was really important in life and how crucial it is to not take advantage of what’s in front of you. It taught me to expect the unexpected, and to sincerely appreciate things I normally would not have.
What’s the worst feeling in the world?
I’d say losing a championship game that you knew was within your grasp, or over eating at the pizza buffet.
If you could spend two weeks anywhere in the world, where would you spend them?
I would want to be on Spain ‘s bench during the Eurocup this year.
What is your favorite UK soccer moment?
When the recruits and seniors went to a haunted house last October – I’ve never had such a strong desire to run fast in my life.
What’s your definition of a true hero?
I think a hero is someone who has inspired people to do better or can be idolized for their accomplishments.
