Photo by: Stephen Wandzura
Women's Soccer Q&A: Isabel Nelson
10/19/2018 9:14:00 AM | Women's Soccer, Competing With Purpose Blog
Freshman defender Isabel Nelson of the Pepperdine women's soccer team scored the game-winning goal against BYU last weekend and was named WCC Player of the Week. We discussed her award, the season thus far, and her goals for her four years at Pepperdine:
Q: You were named WCC Player of the Week after scoring the game-winning goal against BYU. How does it feel to win that award?
A: It's pretty cool, but we try not to focus too much on any of that stuff. We just try to do our best every moment of the game and try to make the most of the season.
Q: So, you're not the tallest person on the team (5-foot-5), but you've scored two goals off headers and win aerial battles on defense. How do you do it?
A: I don't know really. I guess I've always been good at heading and reading the ball. It's something that kind of comes natural.
Q: The team's had some pretty great wins so far this season. How is the team training to keep their game up?
A: We're just practicing, and we know our energy has to be really good. The team just tries to make the best of every day and make sure that we continue to get better. We're not really focusing on game results, but on improving and us. One of the biggest focuses is doing all the little things right, which will help during games.
Q: Did you expect to come in and be a starter as a freshman?
A: I honestly didn't really know what to expect. I just came in, worked hard and wanted to see where that was going to get me.
Q: How has your game improved from the start of fall camp to now?
A: I think training with the team every day and being exposed to the college game is definitely different than high school and club. You learn quickly, and there's definitely some learning curves that happened in the beginning of the season. It's all good now because of the training we got.
Q: You're originally from Texas. What drew you to becoming a student-athlete at Pepperdine, specifically?
A: I wanted a small school with good academics and a good soccer program. In Texas, there just aren't that many options with that. One of my coaches suggested I look at schools in California, and specifically Pepperdine. When I met the coaches and saw the campus on my visit, I knew that I wanted to come here.
Q: What has the adjustment from high school to college been like so far, and how has the team helped you adapt?
A: It hasn't been a bad adjustment; I like it. I'm not homesick or anything. I think soccer really helps with that because you come in and automatically have a family that you're a part of. You're also so busy with school and soccer that you don't really have time to think about being homesick or anything like that. It's definitely helped.
Q: What are some hopes and goals you have for your four years here?
A: As an athlete, I want to try to improve every day. I want to continue to get better and work on my game. As a person, I want to try to strengthen my relationship with God. I also want to bond and become closer with my coaches and everyone on the team. I really want to make the best of my experience here.
Q: You were named WCC Player of the Week after scoring the game-winning goal against BYU. How does it feel to win that award?
A: It's pretty cool, but we try not to focus too much on any of that stuff. We just try to do our best every moment of the game and try to make the most of the season.
Q: So, you're not the tallest person on the team (5-foot-5), but you've scored two goals off headers and win aerial battles on defense. How do you do it?
A: I don't know really. I guess I've always been good at heading and reading the ball. It's something that kind of comes natural.
Q: The team's had some pretty great wins so far this season. How is the team training to keep their game up?
A: We're just practicing, and we know our energy has to be really good. The team just tries to make the best of every day and make sure that we continue to get better. We're not really focusing on game results, but on improving and us. One of the biggest focuses is doing all the little things right, which will help during games.
Q: Did you expect to come in and be a starter as a freshman?
A: I honestly didn't really know what to expect. I just came in, worked hard and wanted to see where that was going to get me.
Q: How has your game improved from the start of fall camp to now?
A: I think training with the team every day and being exposed to the college game is definitely different than high school and club. You learn quickly, and there's definitely some learning curves that happened in the beginning of the season. It's all good now because of the training we got.
Q: You're originally from Texas. What drew you to becoming a student-athlete at Pepperdine, specifically?
A: I wanted a small school with good academics and a good soccer program. In Texas, there just aren't that many options with that. One of my coaches suggested I look at schools in California, and specifically Pepperdine. When I met the coaches and saw the campus on my visit, I knew that I wanted to come here.
Q: What has the adjustment from high school to college been like so far, and how has the team helped you adapt?
A: It hasn't been a bad adjustment; I like it. I'm not homesick or anything. I think soccer really helps with that because you come in and automatically have a family that you're a part of. You're also so busy with school and soccer that you don't really have time to think about being homesick or anything like that. It's definitely helped.
Q: What are some hopes and goals you have for your four years here?
A: As an athlete, I want to try to improve every day. I want to continue to get better and work on my game. As a person, I want to try to strengthen my relationship with God. I also want to bond and become closer with my coaches and everyone on the team. I really want to make the best of my experience here.
Players Mentioned
D/F
/ Women's Soccer
