Transfer kickers bolster Aggie soccer team
Among newly recruited freshmen, the USU soccer team has added two new faces for the 2011 season. Shay Haddow is from South Jordan, Utah, and attended Bingham High School before spending her freshman year of college at Virginia Commonwealth University. The 5-foot-7 midfielder joined the Aggies on February 25, 2011. Attacking midfielder Kersey Davis played last season at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.
The Utah Statesman has come up with a few questions to help USU students get to know the new Aggies on the squad.
Utah Statesman: Where are you from?
Kersey Davis: Henefer, Utah.
US: Ok, so where is that?
KD: Umm, it’s in between Park City and Morgan.
US: So, is that Morgan high school?
KD: No, it’s North Summit High School but I went to Morgan High School because they didn’t have a soccer program.
US: How do you like Utah State So far?
KD: I love it. I love Logan. The girls are awesome. It’s going great so far.
Shay Haddow: I love it. The team is great – good chemistry with the team. I love Logan, it’s a nice small town. It’s a great college town. You don’t have to travel very far to go places, it’s good on gas. And it’s really pretty, especially in the summer. Winter sucks.
US: What brought you here to Logan?
SH: I looked at (Utah State) before I went to Virginia, and what brought me here is just the chemistry of the team and the same (things) I said before about Logan.
KD: I love Logan, first of all. Ogden, I just wasn’t feeling it, so I loved it here and I decided I should probably come play soccer here.
US: Have you spent time in Logan before you came up here?
KD: Yeah a little bit. All my friends came up here, so yeah I’ve spent a little bit of time up here.
US: What kind of car do you have?
SH: A Jetta.
US: Kersey, what are you majoring in?
KD: I haven’t decided yet, I want to do something to do with sign language, so I’d have to look into that.
US: Any reason for sign language?
KD: No, it just really interests me.
US: Shay, what is your major?
SH: Exercise Science.
US: What do you both want to be when you grow up?
KD: Right now I want to be a translator for sign language.
SH: I don’t know yet. Either a physical therapist, trainer, coach – something like that.
US: So do you want to stay around soccer for the rest of your life?
SH: Yeah, I want to be involved in sports.
US: Did you watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup?
KD: A little bit.
SH: I did, every game. I loved it.
US: What about the final when the United States lost?
SH: Oh yeah, I almost cried after, but it was good.
KD: It was great. I wanted the U.S. to win, but I’m glad that Japan won over anyone else besides the U.S.
US: Why is that?
KD: Because they’ve been going through hardships, and to lift the spirits of the people.
US: What do you do when you’re not playing soccer?
SH: Other sports. I love playing sports, four-wheeling, camping – I love being outdoorsy.
US: What’s your favorite sport?
SH: Other than soccer? Basketball. I’ve played it my whole life, too.
US: Kersey, you do a flip to do your throw-ins. How did you develop that?
KD: I went to a BYU game, and a girl did a flip throw. I thought it was really cool. I did gymnastics, so I thought I’d try it. It’s just like a corner kick, so I thought it would be helpful.
US: Do you feel it works better than a normal throw in?
KD: Probably, especially when you’re down in the attack.
US: Do you have any superstitions?
SH: No, not really. I used to. I’d be superstitious about the socks I’d wear or the bra or whatever.
KD: Superstitions? I never shave my legs before a game. I’ve been doing that since 2008.
US: How long have you played soccer?
SH: Since I was five. So it’s been 15 years.
KD: I’ve been playing since I was about nine years old, I think.
US: What’s your favorite soccer memory?
KD: Probably winning State Cup with my club team, La Rocca, in 2008.
SH: Probably winning Surf Cup with my team … when I was like 17.
US: Are you a True Aggie?
KD: No, not yet.
SH: I’m not one yet, but I will be this fall for sure.
-tavin.stucki@aggiemail.usu.edu