FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University field hockey junior standout Jessica Diaz/Chesapeake has been named the Longwood Female Athlete of the week. The forward earned Northern Pacific Field Hockey East Offensive Player of the Week accolades for her efforts in a league game at Radford on Sept. 17. Diaz propelled the Lancers to a 3-2, come-from-behind victory against the Highlanders. With Longwood trailing, 2-1, at halftime, she scored from the right side in the early minutes of the second half to knot the score. Diaz then collected a rebound and found the back of the cage with just over six minutes to play to secure the decision for the Lancers. She is currently second on the team with three goals and four assists for 10 total points.
Question and Answer Session with Jessica Diaz and Ashley Robbins
AR: Talk a little bit about the come-from-behind win at Radford.
JD: We started out kind of slow and they went two goals up, which is kind of frightening for me because my best friend plays for Radford, so they’re definitely my biggest rivals. When I go there, I feel like we have to win, no option. When they were ahead, I had a mini panic attack at halftime. I think Iain called a timeout and I just took a deep breath and decided we needed to get this together. Kelley Fay got the first goal, which was really cool because it was her first goal ever, so it was 2-1 at the half. During halftime, coach was telling us we could do it, so everyone’s spirits were still high, but I was still anxious. My first goal went off the goalie’s foot into the goal. The second one was close to the end of the game, and then we just slowed the game down and took control of it. The Radford players were frantic, but we controlled play, so it was nice to finally show that we were the team that was supposed to win.
AR: How does it feel to be named the NorPac East Offensive Player of the Week?
JD: It’s really good. Last year, I got it a couple times, which was nice. This is the second week in a row Longwood people have been selected and I’m happy that we got the sweep of all three awards this week. I’m hoping we can keep it up. The other two that got it definitely deserved it, too. Kaye had an amazing game against Temple. I’m very excited and I hope we keep this going.
AR: Where you surprised to get the award this week?
JD: I know I had the chance of getting it after the Radford game, but I was surprised I actually got it because I didn’t play in the game on Sunday. I was probably expecting one of the other players to get it, but it’s nice. Every game is important, but conference games are the ones that matter most. The Radford game was a really big one for us.
AR: What is your favorite band?
JD: Definitely Florida Georgia Line. I’m obsessed with that song “Round Here.” It’s playing in my car constantly.
AR: What is your favorite movie?
JD: The Lion King. It’s always been my favorite movie since I was four years old. Disney movies are the best. You can’t go wrong.
AR: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
JD: Probably to not give up. I take that into every aspect of my life. Just keep going, no matter how rough or put down you feel. Never giving up is the best thing you can do.
AR: What would you say to an athlete hoping to play Division I someday?
JD: Keep working at it. We’ve had walk-ons come on our team and they may not be the best skill-wise, but that’s what Coach is for. He’s very good at teaching skills, but if you come in and work hard, I think that is more important having the skill. Any one that works hard and puts in the effort, that’s the most important thing, definitely.
AR: What’s your favorite thing about your team?
JD: Everyone gets along. We never really have any issues. No matter what, everyone is there for each other. The team comes first before anything and that’s what I care about.
AR: What are your plans for after graduation?
JD: Because of my major, I’ll graduate in 2015 with my bachelor’s, but I’ll be doing an extra year for my special education master’s. After graduating with my bachelor’s, but before starting my fifth year, I hope to work in Nags Head (North Carolina) because I love that whole area. Then I’ll come back and get my master’s and hopefully I can go back home. My sister (Brittney) just got a varsity coaching job back home, so she knows as soon as I’m done, she’s probably going to make me the JV coach. That’s what I’m hoping, so the Diaz sisters will run it again.
AR: Is it strange not to be playing with your sister, Brittney, this year?
JD: Yes, it’s different because she’s always been the person telling me what I need to do. It’s kind of nice because I can figure things out for myself and I don’t have someone on my case all the time, but I definitely miss her. When we were in college together we became extremely close, but she still comes to the games and visits all the time.
AR: Who would you consider to be your biggest role model?
JD: My sister, Brittney. I wouldn’t be playing field hockey without. My twin older sisters both played field hockey, so I started playing when I was four. They got really into it, but the only reason I got into it was because I wanted to be better then them. That’s half the reason I had my motivation, not only Brittney pushing me to be better, but I wanted to be better than my sisters. That’s why I stuck with it and then I ended up really liking it.
