Women's Soccer Q&A

Ashley Nick, from Monrovia, Calif., finished her junior season and was named NSCAA All-America Second Team. She is a starting midfielder and a team captain.

Kristin Olsen, from Orange, Calif., finished her sophomore season at USC and was voted the 2007 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Defensive Player. She is a finalist for the 2007-08 Honda Sports Award, one of the most prestigious honors for a female athlete. She is a goalie.

Kasey Johnson, from Sierra Madre, Calif., finished her first season at USC and was part of Pac-10 All-Freshman Team. She is a defender.

JN: What is the best memory you have of the 2007 season?

AN: My favorite memory from the 2007 season was breaking the second round hex, advancing into the third round. As a team, we freaked ourselves out because we had never made it past the second round in school history, and let the Creighton team hang with us until overtime. There was a time in the game when we pulled together as a team and decided we were not going to lose. After we won the game, you could just see the confidence and excitement in everyone's faces. It seemed like anything was possible and we could win it all. Oh yeah, scoring the diving header goal was pretty exciting too!

KO: I think the best memory of the 2007 season would definitely be when we reached the final four in College Station, Texas. The atmosphere was just amazing, and being able to perform in front of 8,000-plus fans was an experience I'll never forget. I remember sitting on the sideline bench before the semi-final game – just before we beat UCLA – and just looking out into the crowd. I almost cried just because it was that cool to think of all that we had been through, and that we were actually there. Not many people get to experience that, let alone a National Championship, so it was really cool.

KJ: Although winning the national championship was amazing, for me the best memory was beating Florida in the Coliseum. This game was when I scored my first collegiate goal, and it couldn't have come at a more perfect time! Before I scored the goal, my teammate and roommate, Megan Ohai, told me that I was going to score a goal on this exact play. Even though I was saying “yeah right” to myself, I told Meg, "Don't worry. I got this." A couple seconds later, it actually came true and I scored the winning goal! It was very funny and exciting all at the same time. I'll never forget it.

JN: What individual challenges did you overcome that led to the overall success of the season?

AN: An individual challenge I had to overcome was preparing for the 2007 season back during Christmas break [2006], months before the season. I was unhappy with my performance the year before and decided to work hard to improve on my own, which would allow me to offer more to the team. The challenging part of this was missing out on fun activities and events, so that I could get out on the field and do work. But, if I could go back I would make the same sacrifices. Hard work pays off.

KO: Throughout the season, I think I just tried to focus on giving 100 percent of what I had. Our coaches talked a lot about not having to feel your best to play your best. So, instead of worrying about not playing good and what not, I focused more on what I could do to help my team and how I could contribute to our overall success. And, most of all just having fun!

KJ: An individual challenge that I faced was just being a freshman. Being a freshman everything is obviously new to you, and you have to overcome such things as the speed of the game, fitness level and physical level of the game. Getting used to all of these things took time and with help from my teammates and coaches it went along much smoother.

JN: What do fans have to look forward to next year?

AN: Fans have a lot to look forward to. We are already better then we were last year with a ton of gained experience under our belt and team chemistry. Although we are losing two key seniors, everyone else is coming back. Look forward to some good soccer: A strong possession game played by a bunch of determined women; Goals and a strong defense. It will be entertaining and fun.

KO: Ahhh! I’m so excited just thinking about it! We love our fans and all the support we've gotten from them this year. We definitely have a huge target on our backs now. You know, now that we've reached the top and proven to everyone out there what we are capable of, every game is going to be a battle. Everyone is going to be out to beat us. I’m sure our fans will enjoy some better soccer. We've only had one year under Ali, so there is so much for us to learn still. But I know we're all really excited about the new season and looking forward to the opportunity to repeat as National Champions.

KJ: The fans can look forward to a more competitive and exciting season next year. We all have something to prove to the nation this year and that last season wasn't just a fluke. We have to prove all over again that we are a great program, dedicated and motivated to win another national championship. So, I think this pressure will definitely get us more pumped up for games and, in return, everyone is going to bring their A-game because who doesn't want to be a national champion?

JN: What else are you up to besides USC soccer?

AN: Besides USC soccer, I am playing with the under 23 National team and will be traveling to Spain on the 8th with the team, but just because it is off-season at USC does not mean it has left my mind. You can always learn and improve, and I am excited to get back in the grind in prep for the ‘08 season. I’m also training to be a first grade teacher, and really enjoy drawing and Dance Dance Revolution in my free time. I love scary movies and relaxing with my family.

KO: Well, currently I’m training with the Under-20 National Team. It’s a lot of fun and hard work, and I hope from that experience I will some day make it to the Full National Team. It’s hard balancing class, schoolwork and training all at the same time, but most of my professors are good about helping me out. Other than that, I’m just enjoying college, hanging out with my friends, and living life to the fullest. I’m so thankful and blessed for the opportunities and things I’ve been given while at USC, but it sure is going by fast, so I’m really just trying to take it day by day and enjoying the Trojan lifestyle.

KJ: Besides USC soccer, I am a freshman here still trying to get used to this whole college scene. I am taking five classes right now and enjoying it. I am also doing some Under-20 Women's National Team stuff and will be participating in a trip to Chile at the beginning of February. But besides soccer, in general, I am just trying to take in the whole college experience and trying to have a chill, laidback lifestyle.