Soccer players earns USU award
Utah Statesman: What’s been the hardest adjustment from high school soccer to college soccer?
Dana Peart: It’s hard because everyone is there to play and everyone is there for the same reasons. Everyone is there to play hard. In high school, it’s just different.
US: Is there any older member of the team you have tried to pattern your game after?
DP: All of them. They are all role models to me. I look up to every single one of them.
US: If you had a choice, would you rather play in the pouring rain or the sunshine?
DP: Definitely in the sunshine! It’s fun in the rain but a lot harder.
US: When you’re on the road what are some of the things you do as a team?
DP: We go for jogs in the morning and have dinner together.
US: Do you know what you are going to study here at Utah State?
DP: I am going to major in physical education and minor in business. I want to teach, but I don’t know what grade yet.
US: What makes you want to be a teacher?
DP: Being in sports my whole life and the experiences I’ve had in my physical education classes. Interacting with kids, which I absolutely love, is what I want to do.
US: After your big play against Long Beach on Friday, did you feel like you were going to have another one against UC Irvine?
DP: I didn’t really have a feeling, I just wanted to contribute to the team no matter how it was in any of the games after [Friday]. It was just such a good feeling and I’ve always wanted to contribute somehow to the team, to get that win when we need to.
US: What are some important things you have learned from the senior members of the team?
DP: There’s a lot. At first, [helping] with confidence. Coming in as a freshman you are kind of shaky and jittery and a lot of them have helped me out by sitting down and talking with me about it, helping me through that. They stepped up right at the first and that really showed a lot to me. They were there to take me in, they were the mom and that has really helped me out.
US: Can you score a goal against Megan Mills?
DP: Oh yeah.
US: Does she know you are saying this?
DP: No.
US: What would you say is your dream job?
DP: No job. But, if I could have any job it would be teaching and coaching. Interacting with kids, that’s my dream job.
-mlglade@cc.usu.edu