The women’s soccer team traveled to SUNY Fredonia this past Friday to compete in the four-team Clarion Hotel Soccer Classic.
The team won their opening game in a convincing fashion by beating Penn State Behrend, 5-1. In the championship game on Saturday, the Yellowjackets took down Baldwin-Wallace College, 6-3, pushing their overall season record to 4-1. UR’s victory in the championship was their third straight win.
Junior forward Ellen Coleman was the key contributor for the Yellowjackets as she finished with five goals and one assist in the two victories. Coleman was awarded Tournament MVP following the conclusion of the championship game.
Alongside Coleman, seniors forward Bridgette Varin, defender Meaghan Magee and forward/midfielder Kirsten Ross were selected to the All-Tournament Team.
Last year, you were named to a second Team All-American team and played a major part in the team’s NCAA Tournament birth. How have you been able to stay motivated to build on your success from last year?
Every year our coach sets the goal of winning the National Championship. For the past two years we’ve been able to compete in the NCAA Tournament but we haven’t made it out of the first two rounds. So being able to put together a great postseason run is something that is really motivating me this year.
In terms of playing on different teams and working out, what do you do in the summer to prepare for the soccer season at UR?
We are all expected to play on a summer league team, so I play with local college players on a team in the summer.
Last year, you were named to the UAA All-Academic team. How are you able to balance such high academic success along with your athletic prowess?
I think that playing soccer actually keeps me more on top of my school work and helps a ton with time management.
Who has been the biggest influence on your soccer career and why?
My parents. They got me started at such a young age (4- or 5-years-old). They continue to show up and support me at my games, even from about 12 hours away in Wisconsin.
What are you currently studying at UR?
I’m a Biomedical Engineering major.
Currently the girls’ soccer team is 4-1, and looking ahead to a promising finish to the season. What are the goals for the rest of the season for both the team and you individually?
The goal for us is always to go out and win a National Championship. Along the way we need to do well in our conference.
The UAA is one of, if not the most, competetive conferences in the nation, and each of those seven games are crucial to our team’s success. And I want to do my best to make Terry Gurnett’s last season as head coach special. Terry has given 34 years of his life to the women’s soccer team.
He literally built the program and has had a hand in every success our team has ever had.
Every game I want to make Terry proud of us out on the field and give him and my team my best possible effort. Overall I want to work hard, score goals and win.
What is your favorite pre-game food?
Papa Gino’s.
What song is on your iPod before each game?
“Fat Bottom Girls” by Queen.
Mulberg is a member of the class of 2014.
