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| Lisa McKenzie |
Chat Live With the Lady Monarch Soccer Squad Monday, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m.
Chat live with women's soccer head coach Joe Pereira and his tri-captains Katie Watson, Lisa McKenzie and Beth Messier Monday, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m.
Just click on the Live chat box and send in your questions about the upcoming season.
Last year, ODU captured their first CAA championship, advanced to the NCAA Tournament and won a school record 17 matches. Katie Watson not only earned All-CAA honors but scholar All-American honors as well. Head coach Joe Pereira is entering his 13th season as ODU's head coach and is a two-time CAA Coach of The Year. ODU has won 29 matches the past two seasons. ODU opens at home Sunday at 1 p.m. against Loyola.
Please enter your questions in the form below and they will be answered on the day of the chat.
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Moderator: good afternoon everyone and
welcome to today's chat with
our women's soccer seniors and
Joe Pereira. |
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| Michael (London): Lisa,
I've got a son that wants to go to the States to play soccer. How hard is it to be away from family and was it worth it? Do you have any tips for someone who might want to play a long distance from home like you? |
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Lisa McKenzie: The first year was probably the
hardest and getting settlied in
and getting use to the country.
But the Americans are very
welcoming and friendly, which
made it a lot easier to be here. Make the best of opportunities presented you as
they only come once in a lifetime. Just enjoy the experience. |
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| Paul (Virginia Beach): I want to wish all of you best of
luck this coming season.
Beth, what got you interested in
soccer? |
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Beth Messier: I was always interesest in sports and my mom said as soon as I turned three they
wouldn't let me play, but as sonn as I turned four I was
in and here I am. |
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| Paulette (Hampton): Katie,
What other sports did you play
growing up? and who is your
favorite soccer player on either the current or past national teams. |
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Katie Watson: I ran cross country and indoor and outdoor track along with
basketball. Carla Overbeck is
my favorite soccer player. |
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| Christine (Newport News, VA): Joe,
You didn't bring in a very big class this year. How much will experience play in the success of this season? Can we expect to see any of the newcomers on the field soon? |
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Joe Pereira: We only graduated four and we brought in four newcomers.
We will be counting heavily on our returning players, especially with the success of
last year's team. We have the luxury to be patient with our
incoming class, but ashley Kukura showed up very fit and strong, and should be the
first to see action followed by
Kelsey Williams. WIlliams has also had a strong pre-season. |
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| Heather (Virginia Beach): For the seniors, What are your plans after graduation? |
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Lisa McKenzie: Not too sure yet, but I still looking at some options on whether I will stay in the states or go back home...BETH...I am looking at continue playing overseas
and then getting into the real world and settling down...KATIE...I want to continue to play for as long
as I can. I would also like to
do some coaching or personal training. |
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| Alex: Are you done recruiting for spring 2008 for center mid fielders |
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Joe Pereira: We, for the most part are done with our 2008 class. We
graduate three and have six
verbals thus far. |
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| Janice (Virginia Beach): Katie,
Congratulations not only on your
athletic success, but academics
aswell. How have you been able
to balance both? |
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Katie Watson: Ever since I have been in high
school, I have always been involved in sports. I just try to
stay organized and keep my
priorities straight. |
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| Steph (Moyock, NC): Katie, Lisa & Beth: Who do each of you consider to be your rival in the conference? Also, what's the toughest place to play? Great season last year and good luck in 2007!! |
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Beth Messier: BETH..I would say W&M is our
biggest rival, but JMU is the toughest place to play...KATIE...I would say W&M and JMU are our two biggest rivals. I think JMU is the toughest place to play.
LISA-- William and Mary is our
biggest rival, while the hottest place in terms of heat is the
hardest place to play for me. |
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| Larry (Portsmouth): Joe,
Where are the CAA Championships
this year? Best of luck this season. |
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Joe Pereira: This is the last year at the Va. Beach Sportsplex. In the future it will be at the highest seed. |
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| Samuel (Virginia Beach, VA): Beth,
You always play with a fire in your eyes. I feel like when I watch you play, you've got that edge that gives you the advantage over girls that are bigger and stronger. I would love to see my daughter play like that all the time. Do you feel like that's true? If so, where does that fire, that passion come from? |
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Beth Messier: Pretty much my whole life I
played with the guys and that
made me more fiery and passionate about playing and
being tough. It's probably the
strongest part of my game having the ability to see and read what's going on along
with instruct my teammates. |
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| Jeff (Stafford, VA): All three of you seniors experienced the CAA Championship last season. What did that feel like and how hungry are you to repeat and get back to the NCAA Tournament? |
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Beth Messier: BETH...It was exactly what an
athlete dreams of...Losing in the NCAA just builds the fire even more. I am looking forward to the season and getting another shot at the NCAA college cup.
LISA...Winning the CAA was one of the best feelings ever.
I think we learned alot from our first game in the NCAA's, and thats a driving force for
us to get it done in the league and get back to the NCAA's....KATIE...Winning the title was the highlight of my
15-year soccer career. Once you taste a championship is
all you think about and hope
to experience it again. |
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| Karen (Norfolk): Joe,
What teams inthe CAA should we be
on the watch for this season? |
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Joe Pereira: ODU, ODU, ODU....but seriously, W&M, JMU and the
usual group will be strong again. Very strong league from
top to bottom, there is no
rest in any match. |
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Moderator: Eveyone, thanks for all of you
questions. Don't forget the Lady
Monarchs open up Sunday
1 p.. vs Loyola (MD.)...see you there. |
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