Sports Editor Matt Yannie recently talked to womenís soccer forward Paige Piper í13.† Piper has burst onto the college soccer scene with four goals and two assists in just nine games.
Piper is the second leading scorer for the Scots this season.† She leads a strong group of 11 first-year players who have been significant contributors to the teamís historic 8-0-3 start to the season.
MY: Coming into this season, when anyone looked at the teamís roster the first comment would have been, ìLook at all the first-years.” How have you and this group been able to be immediate contributors to the success of the team?
PP: Because of our large numbers there is a lot of talent on the team and it really helps us to push each other. The younger players push one another, but they also are able to push the older players as well. There is more competition within the team which obviously leads to better results overall.
MY: You, personally, have had a lot of success so far this season as an individual. Currently you are the teamís second leading scorer and have scored twice as many goals as any other first-year. Did you expect these results right away?
PP: Not exactly. I just wanted to go into the season with a good attitude and work hard. I wanted to be able to contribute in any way that I could; obviously scoring is the best way. I wanted to make sure to take it one game at a time.
MY: This team is off to a great start, already having set the record for longest unbeaten streak to start a season at 11 games. How much of this success was expected coming out of the preseason?
PP: I was kind of unsure because I had heard the girls talk about having preseason or early season games that are easier, so people expect to win those. By thinking that weíll continue to win we are at risk of being overconfident going into the next games. It seemed like the team just wanted to be more and more focused this year and we decided to take it game by game.
MY: What was the most significant factor in this team making it through a tough early schedule away from home unscathed?
PP: Itís a relief to come out of that stretch with such a nice record.† Obviously itís different than playing on our own field, so winning early on has really established confidence.
MY: Starting tomorrow, the team will be off and running in NCAC action for the remainder of the season. What are your expectations going into the most important stretch of your season?
PP: I hope we do well. The team has a lot of potential, so if we are able to stay as focused as we have been and avoid a letdown, then expect us to be really successful.
MY: How much have the six upperclassmen helped your class and this yearís sophomores in terms of growth as a team and as individual players?
PP: I can honestly say that I have a huge amount of respect for everyone on the team and even more so for our five upperclassmen. As a freshman coming into the team they are incredibly welcoming and supportive.† They do everything they can to lead us and be positive.
MY: What are your personal goals for the remainder of the season?
PP: I hope to continue to contribute the way that I have been. Obviously scoring is part of my job as a forward, but as long as Iím helping I donít mind getting assists. To me itís all the same as long as I can help out.
MY: How long do you think this team can continue the unbeaten streak?
PP: As long as we can stay focused on our goals as a team.