FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University senior women's soccer standout Kelsey Pardue/Richmond has been named the Longwood Female Athlete of the Week. The fourth-year midfielder/forward scored her first two goals of the season last week, including the game-winner against Coastal Carolina, while leading Longwood to a pair of Big South wins. She scored her first goal, unassisted, in the 106th minute against the Chanticleers for the 10th game-winning goal of her career, and added her second goal at Winthrop in the 16th minute. Through 10 matches, Pardue is second on the team in scoring with two goals and one assist for five points. She ranks second in career game-winning goals (10), tied for second in assists (20), third in shots (163), tied for sixth in goals (18), and seventh in points (56), while on the field to begin 68-straight matches at Longwood.
Question and Answer Session with Kelsey Pardue and Ashley Robbins
AR: Talk about the exciting overtime win against Coastal Carolina.
KP: We started off extremely energetic because it was our first conference game. I think we were carrying all the weight of the non-conference games before and just wanted to win. We battled the whole game against a strong Coastal team and it just happens that we always end up in double overtime, but it couldn’t have ended better than for us to get a goal in the last five minutes and get to feel the excitement from the crowd and the weight being lifted off our shoulders to finally win a game, and more importantly, a conference game.
AR: What did it feel like to then go to Winthrop and earn such a decisive decision?
KP: That was amazing. It’s always harder winning on the road. Coach Dyer told us after the game that he was surprised and impressed. We’ve never run that fast or performed that well against a team on their pitch, so it was really exciting to see us going at them right away. We finished our chances and could have had more against a strong opponent, so to get that win was really good for us. I think we’re ready for the next game and we’re showing everyone that we’re coming for them.
AR: How does it feel to start conference play at 2-0 after a tough non-conference slate?
KP: It’s a huge weight off of our shoulders. I feel like we worked so hard in preseason and at the beginning of the year, but hadn’t been getting the results that we needed or wanted. To finally go into conference play and actually starting winning in the games that matter most feels amazing. It lifts our spirits for the next games and boosts our egos after coming from a rough start. I think now our hard work is paying off.
AR: Did you do anything differently this offseason to prepare for your senior year?
KP: I played for another team this summer, which helped me a lot. I played for the Washington Spirit Reserves, playing with a lot of talented players, so training with them every day and playing in that environment really helped. I ran a lot more because I definitely wanted to be fit this season and I want this season to go further than before. The mentality this summer was different knowing this was my last season and I wanted to give it my all, so I had to give it my all during the summer. In my summer league, we made it to the national championship, so that felt good and that’s what I want to do here. I want to bring that game mentality over to Longwood and hopefully we can get the result.
AR: Do you have any plans for after graduation?
KP: They’re kind of up in the air right now. I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I’m just going with the flow. I definitely think it would be awesome to play after college. I might have some opportunities, but I’m just hoping for the best.
AR: If you were to do anything with your major after graduation, what would it be?
KP: Well, my concentration is marketing, and I would probably want to start either at a sports facility or with a professional group to help do sports marketing. I think that would be a good start because I don’t want to get away from sports for a while.
AR: Who would you consider to be a role model?
KP: My first would be my favorite player, Leo Messi. He plays for Barcelona. He’s always been my role model just because he plays soccer for one of the best teams in the world, but he is so humble, and loves the game and being out there. I think that’s something to take away from sports, is that no matter where you are or what you’re doing, you have to love what you’re doing. My second role model would be my brother. He plays soccer, as well, so obviously I look up to him for that, but I admire is attitude and perspective on life. He always has a good attitude and a positive perspective, and he always challenges me to be the best I can be.
AR: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten in your career?
KP: One of the things that a lot of my coaches have told me, and that my brother and dad have always told me, is never be satisfied. No matter how well we’re doing or if we get a result, I never want to be satisfied and I always want to strive for more. That has always pushed me in soccer and in life because no matter how well I do on a test or how well I play in a game, my dad or brother or coach is always there to tell me not to be satisfied. That does mean a lot and I know what they’re talking about because it’s true.
AR: Do you have any pre-game superstitions?
KP: I always watch YouTube Videos of my favorite players. I always wrap my wrist before every game, too, because I always keep a bracelet on.
AR: Who is your funniest teammate?
KP: Kylie Dyer, Kelsey MacDonald and Olivia Colella.
AR: What is your favorite road trip from your time at Longwood?
KP: I would say Winthrop this season because it was a really good win. Like coach said, it was one of our best wins on someone else’s turf. We’ve had good times on the road, so it’s hard to think of just one.
