Q&A with Adrienne Treado
9/23/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 23, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. - This year the Michigan State women's soccer team is led by a senior midfield. One of those seniors is Adrienne Treado, a returning player who will see a lot of action this year.
Treado has been a key facet to the Spartan midfield since coming here in 2001 as a freshman. Her freshman year she started 12 out of the 18 games in which she played, and tallied a game-winning goal against Toledo. Treado continued to help the Spartans in 2002 and along the way garnered Academic All-Big Ten honors as well. As a junior, she earned playing time and became a staple in the Spartan midfield starting 16 out of 20 games. This year, she and the rest of her teammates look to leave their mark on the women's soccer program at Michigan State.
Q: What are some of your goals for your senior year?
A: Our main goal is to be Big Ten champs. We've been working really hard the past four years to get that done. We also want to make the NCAA tournament. We got a bid our sophomore year, but that was the last time.
Q: What teams will be the toughest in the Big Ten this year?
A: Probably Illinois (who MSU lost to 1-0 in overtime on Sept. 17), Michigan is always a tough game and Penn State will be tough too.
Q: How do you find the time to balance school with all the time you put into soccer?
A: They do a good job at the Smith Center with getting you tutors if you need help with your studies. The Smith Center makes it really nice since they have tutors and study hours where you can go in and use the computer labs. I feel it's easier almost when you have more to do because when you have time you get things done right away.
Q: What are your plans after you graduate?
A: The main thing I want to do is work in sports somewhere. My major is advertising with a public relations specialization, and I'd like to do public relations for a sports franchise.
Q: As a senior and one of the leaders on the team, how is the chemistry between all the players and how does everyone get along?
A: This year, hands down, we have the best chemistry we've ever had on this team. Everyone gets along so well. We don't have anyone who is a bad seed or anything like that.
Q: What has being part of the Spartan soccer program meant to you the last four years?
A: It's kind of defined who I am. It's such a family here. They care more about your family and relationships than soccer. These are the people who are my friends and family and I'm glad that I've been apart of it for the last four years.
Q: What are some things the team must do this year to be successful?
A: Come to practice everyday ready to give one hundred percent and practice just as hard as you would play in a game.
Q: Could you see yourself coaching or working with young athletes later on?
A: I really enjoy when I get to work with young athletes at camps in the summer. I have a lot of fun and I love it. I don't really think I'd go into the coaching aspect, but I do love working with younger kids and when we have camps in the summer. I'll probably work at them again this summer, even though I graduate.
Q: Coming out of high school, were considering going anywhere other than Michigan State?
A: I really didn't get recruited by many other schools besides Michigan State. Both my parents went to State and I really had my heart set on coming here, so it worked out great since I wanted to come here and play soccer.
Q: How does this team compare to the teams of the last three years you've played on?
A: This team has the best chemistry of any team. It's amazing how we are all such good friends and get along so well. We just play together well. Our chemistry on the field and off the field is just amazing. We all work for each other.
Q: How has your coach helped to make you a better soccer player over the last four years?
A: All three of our coaches have different jobs. Tammy [Farnum] is a really good motivator and she emotionally gets you prepared for the games. Tom [Saxton] does a good job of getting us prepared tactically and physically. Seth [Kesler] is a good motivator and gets you fired up and ready to go out and kick some butt.
Q: What does this year's freshman class add to the team?
A: This freshman class is a big class. They bring a lot. They are all fighting for starting positions and it makes practice tougher, so it raises everyone's level of play. Everyone's game is raised since we practice harder. Erin Doan starts in the back and one of our points leaders is a freshman. They're all stepping up and making it tough for all of us, which makes us as a team better.
Q: Why do wear number 18?
A: Number 12 was my first pick, but 12 was taken. I guess I really don't like odd numbers, so I went from 12 to 18.
Q: When did you start playing soccer?
A: Second grade, I believe.
Q: Did you play any other sports when you were younger?
A: I played basketball and volleyball and I ran track in middle school. I like skiing and I played basketball for a while.
Q: This year the team switched its formation from last year, how is that different?
A: It makes everything in the midfield really different because now instead of four we have three people. We have to work a lot harder on defense especially to get back into position on time; we can't be lazy getting back. There is a lot more running. It helps though because we have more offense. We have three forwards up there instead of two, but it's a lot more work in the midfield because we have one less person and we play teams who have four in the middle so we have to compensate for that.
Q: Your only goal was a game-winner in 2001. What was that like?
A: It was against Toledo my sophomore year. I was excited that we won because I scored. Hopefully, I'll score more goals this season.
