FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University men’s soccer sophomore standout Rhys Cairns has been named this week’s Longwood Male Athlete of the Week. Cairns notched his first career goal and assist to lead the Lancers with three points in a 2-2, double-overtime draw against Big South Conference opponent High Point University on September 23. His goal came in the 12th minute when he got ahold of a loose ball that had ricocheted off a defender and fired high to the upper right corner for the goal. In the second half, he sent in a corner kick to assist a header by classmate Mike Durr/Brandon, Mississippi. Cairns has started all six games so far this season.
Question and Answer Session with Rhys Cairns and Ashley Robbins
AR: Talk a little bit about the High Point game.
RC: It was a good performance last night from the boys. Everyone played well. We really wanted the win, but it’s not the worst start to league play. High Point is a very good team, so it’s nice to start off even in conference. We’ve got one big game out of the way already, so it’s good. Everyone stepped up and played well, especially some of the young guys. Even when guys got injured, their replacements came in and played fantastic. I really thought we deserved the win.
AR: Talk about getting your first career goal in the HPU game.
RC: It was nice to score. I never get on the scoresheet, so it was nice to play more on the attack, which Coach let us do and it paid dividends. It was a good way to get my first goal, but I would have preferred the team have won rather than me scoring.
AR: Talk about leading the team with three points.
RC: It was luck I guess. I don’t usually take the corners, but coach wanted me to, so that’s how I got the assist. Mike was in the high position for the goal, so it all worked out. It was all Coach.
AR: Did you do anything different this offseason to prepare and train?
RC: Yes, I went to Missouri and played in the PDL all summer for the Springfield Demize. I was made vice captain right away even though I was the youngest on the team. the team was very good, but it was a pity that the coach had to leave and the season went downhill. I had a great time and came in very fit compared to where I was last year.
AR: Did you play against any Longwood teammates?
RC: No, I played with three of them – Philip van Berkom, Patrick McDaniel and Brian Henry – and we all lived together, as well.
AR: What was it like spending so much time with teammates in the offseason?
RC: I never realized how fun it would actually be. We all just had a great time. Phil and I fight like cat and dog, and that did not change at all when we went to Missouri. He was the chef on the team and I had to do the cleaning up, and every 10 seconds he would be checking up on me. We had a great time. I got to realize how really good all the lads are and I can trust them with anything.
AR: What is your favorite thing about the Longwood team?
RC: How good all of the guys are. There are no bad eggs on the team. We’re all good friends. Sometimes we do have problems, but it always gets solved very quickly. We are like a family and it’s nice to have guys you can count on whenever you need.
AR: How different is it to play here compared to back home in England?
RC: It’s a lot faster here. Back home is probably more technical because they aren’t as fit, so they need to play more technical. I love playing over here. I love the weather, the guys, the desire for winning.
AR: Do you hope to stay here after graduation in a couple of years?
RC: Yes, I want to stay in America. I’m majoring in accounting, so I have a few plans for after college. I would love to keep on going with soccer, but I’m really considering trying to get an accounting job right now.
AR: What is your favorite thing about here compared to home and what is your least favorite?
RC: My least favorite thing is I miss my mom, my dad, my sister and my granddad. My favorite thing is how nice everyone is. Everyone is a friend, everyone says hello. And the weather, people don’t understand how much the sun shines here compared to home.
AR: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
RC: I just like to blast music in my ears, but that’s really all. I just can’t wait to play.
AR: What’s your favorite movie?
RC: I like “Just Friends” and “Life as We Know it.” I like girlie films. I also like “Never Back Down,” that’s a manly one.
AR: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
RC: I got it from my dad. He told me to never settle because if you settle, you’ll never know how good things can get.
