Photo by: Stephen Wandzura
Women's Soccer Q&A: Brielle Preece
10/11/2018 10:43:00 AM | Women's Soccer, Competing With Purpose Blog
Brielle Preece, a senior goalkeeper with the Pepperdine women's soccer team, was awarded WCC Player of the Week after her big effort against Santa Clara this past Sunday. We discussed the emotions of the game-changing save, her multiple accolades and what her next step after graduation is:
Q: You were named WCC Player of the Week for this past weekend's games. How does it feel to earn this honor for a second time in your college career?
A: It feels good, don't get me wrong, but during the season, we focus on the team. But at the end of the day, it feels good to know that hard work pays off.
Q: You changed the Santa Clara game when you saved a penalty kick in the 40th minute. Did you know which way to go to save it or was it instinct?
A: It's hard thinking back on penalty kick saves. Sometimes you're so hyped up on adrenaline that you don't really think; you just do. I actually try to read players more than just trying to guess one way or the other. I remember looking at my coaches to see if they had a read on her, but I couldn't see any signs from them. I just decided to go with my gut and try to read her. Maybe there was a little bit of guessing, maybe there wasn't. I don't really know. You kind of just react, it happens, and then you make the save. It feels good, but you have to stay focused for the next save.
Q: What emotions were you feeling when you saved the penalty kick, and did you know it was going to be game changing?
A: I didn't know it was going to have such a big effect on the entire team. In the moment, I was definitely really excited because we pride ourselves on keeping shutouts. It was just one more thing I had to do to keep the shutout for the defensive line and the team, as a whole. After, I remember turning to my center backs and just getting really excited with them, but having to get refocused right away, since the clock is continuously running in soccer.
Q: The Waves beat the nation's fourth-ranked team. What does it feel like, and what does it mean for the rest of the season?
A: I think it was definitely a big step for the team. It was very important for us to get this win. It gave us all confidence that if we set our minds to it, we can beat any team in conference. It's just about who shows up on the day. I think Sunday was a good example of how our team can show up, and we have that heart and desire to win. I think the game was a good display of that, but it's also motivating for the whole team going forward.
Q: Earlier this year, you were named a Senior CLASS Award candidate. What does it mean to be nominated for an award that encompasses classroom, character, and on field play?
A: I actually had never even heard about the award until Roger [Horne] told me about it. I didn't really understand what was going on, quite frankly, but once I read the story he wrote about it, I came to a better understanding of what it is. It's nice when people recognize your efforts off the soccer field too. It's easy to forget that we're people outside of soccer, so it's pretty cool.
Q: How have your team and coaches helped you to get to this point in your career?
A: My team and my coaches have been the most extraordinary people and motivators. Being a goalkeeper is interesting because only one goalkeeper plays. I didn't play for three years until I finally stepped into that spot. Having goalkeepers that push me to be better and support me through it all, is invaluable. We have an inside joke that it's the GKU, but we really are a Goal Keeper Union. We have to support each other; if there's only competition and not a lot of love, then it can get kind of hostile. No one likes to work in that kind of environment. I couldn't be more blessed or appreciative of the support we give one another, especially Zoe and Kinsey. All my teammates are all great.
My coaches have definitely pushed me to be the best version of myself, not only on the field, but off the field too. They've really motivated me to work my hardest, and I think that's all culminating in how we're playing as a team this season.
Q: This is your senior year, so what are your next steps after graduation?
A: I'm still a little unsure, but I'm hoping to enter the (NWSL) draft. If that doesn't work out then I'm looking to go to physical therapy school after graduation; I'll be applying in the 2019 cycle. I'm also going to try to find a job in a PT clinic where I can gain some clinical experience and bolster my resume.
Q: Reflecting on your past few years at Pepperdine, how have you grown as a student and as an athlete?
A: I've most definitely grown as a student. My freshman year was kind of a culture shock, since I didn't really know how to study effectively. I'm not going to sit here and say that I prospered my freshman year; I definitely had my learning curves. I had to figure out how to study effectively to get the grades that I wanted, so it definitely taught me about setting my mind to something and persevering. I definitely learned that I need to study for exams and do things in advance; I've learned a lot about time management.
As an athlete, I feel like I've become more athletic. I had a broken foot my freshman year, so it was a lot of gaining strength in my foot and my whole body, in general. Through working with our strength and conditioning coach and going to practice every day, I was able to get back on that athletic trend. The goalie training that I've had here has improved my game tremendously. We have a certain style of goalkeeping, so I've definitely learned a lot from the different goalkeeping coaches I've had. They've also taught me how to apply it to games, so that's also been super valuable to me.
Q: You were named WCC Player of the Week for this past weekend's games. How does it feel to earn this honor for a second time in your college career?
A: It feels good, don't get me wrong, but during the season, we focus on the team. But at the end of the day, it feels good to know that hard work pays off.
Q: You changed the Santa Clara game when you saved a penalty kick in the 40th minute. Did you know which way to go to save it or was it instinct?
A: It's hard thinking back on penalty kick saves. Sometimes you're so hyped up on adrenaline that you don't really think; you just do. I actually try to read players more than just trying to guess one way or the other. I remember looking at my coaches to see if they had a read on her, but I couldn't see any signs from them. I just decided to go with my gut and try to read her. Maybe there was a little bit of guessing, maybe there wasn't. I don't really know. You kind of just react, it happens, and then you make the save. It feels good, but you have to stay focused for the next save.
Q: What emotions were you feeling when you saved the penalty kick, and did you know it was going to be game changing?
A: I didn't know it was going to have such a big effect on the entire team. In the moment, I was definitely really excited because we pride ourselves on keeping shutouts. It was just one more thing I had to do to keep the shutout for the defensive line and the team, as a whole. After, I remember turning to my center backs and just getting really excited with them, but having to get refocused right away, since the clock is continuously running in soccer.
Q: The Waves beat the nation's fourth-ranked team. What does it feel like, and what does it mean for the rest of the season?
A: I think it was definitely a big step for the team. It was very important for us to get this win. It gave us all confidence that if we set our minds to it, we can beat any team in conference. It's just about who shows up on the day. I think Sunday was a good example of how our team can show up, and we have that heart and desire to win. I think the game was a good display of that, but it's also motivating for the whole team going forward.
Q: Earlier this year, you were named a Senior CLASS Award candidate. What does it mean to be nominated for an award that encompasses classroom, character, and on field play?
A: I actually had never even heard about the award until Roger [Horne] told me about it. I didn't really understand what was going on, quite frankly, but once I read the story he wrote about it, I came to a better understanding of what it is. It's nice when people recognize your efforts off the soccer field too. It's easy to forget that we're people outside of soccer, so it's pretty cool.
Q: How have your team and coaches helped you to get to this point in your career?
A: My team and my coaches have been the most extraordinary people and motivators. Being a goalkeeper is interesting because only one goalkeeper plays. I didn't play for three years until I finally stepped into that spot. Having goalkeepers that push me to be better and support me through it all, is invaluable. We have an inside joke that it's the GKU, but we really are a Goal Keeper Union. We have to support each other; if there's only competition and not a lot of love, then it can get kind of hostile. No one likes to work in that kind of environment. I couldn't be more blessed or appreciative of the support we give one another, especially Zoe and Kinsey. All my teammates are all great.
My coaches have definitely pushed me to be the best version of myself, not only on the field, but off the field too. They've really motivated me to work my hardest, and I think that's all culminating in how we're playing as a team this season.
Q: This is your senior year, so what are your next steps after graduation?
A: I'm still a little unsure, but I'm hoping to enter the (NWSL) draft. If that doesn't work out then I'm looking to go to physical therapy school after graduation; I'll be applying in the 2019 cycle. I'm also going to try to find a job in a PT clinic where I can gain some clinical experience and bolster my resume.
Q: Reflecting on your past few years at Pepperdine, how have you grown as a student and as an athlete?
A: I've most definitely grown as a student. My freshman year was kind of a culture shock, since I didn't really know how to study effectively. I'm not going to sit here and say that I prospered my freshman year; I definitely had my learning curves. I had to figure out how to study effectively to get the grades that I wanted, so it definitely taught me about setting my mind to something and persevering. I definitely learned that I need to study for exams and do things in advance; I've learned a lot about time management.
As an athlete, I feel like I've become more athletic. I had a broken foot my freshman year, so it was a lot of gaining strength in my foot and my whole body, in general. Through working with our strength and conditioning coach and going to practice every day, I was able to get back on that athletic trend. The goalie training that I've had here has improved my game tremendously. We have a certain style of goalkeeping, so I've definitely learned a lot from the different goalkeeping coaches I've had. They've also taught me how to apply it to games, so that's also been super valuable to me.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's Soccer
