Michigan State University Athletics
Catching Up With Stephanie Yuhasz
10/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Oct. 24, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Senior goalkeeper and Oct. 23 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, Stephanie Yuhasz is playing her final season in the Green and White. Yuhasz took some time out to talk about what she has learned from goalkeeping coach Ashley Eglund and what she did to earn the starting role.
Was it difficult to come back to the team after taking a break?
"Last year was unexpected. They called me midway through the season and asked me to fill in, so I was delighted, because you obviously miss it if you've been an athlete your whole life. Last year, I didn't really focus on improving, because I thought it was just going to be a short-term thing. Then Rolf asked me to come back for this year, so I focused on myself so that I could be good for the team. It's been a challenge, but I honestly think I'm at the best place that I've ever been as a goalie. It's encouraging, but I'm also sad because it's almost over."
What do you think set you apart from the other goalkeepers and allowed you to earn the starting role?
"I think a lot of it was experience. I had the advantage of working with Christina Kirkaldy, who was a great goalie, and I learned a lot from her. Also, Rolf was my goalie coach before. It's a totally different game coming in from high school to college, so I see myself in the freshmen's mistakes, but they're doing well. I just think experience helped, and I did step it up a lot for myself and the team, so I think that helped us out."
How do you encourage the freshman goalkeepers?
"Sometimes it's hard when you're competing for the same spot, and people aren't encouraging, but we've all formed friendships with each other and are all very encouraging. It's not a competition thing, it's more of us pushing each other to help us be better players."
Has having Ashley Egland around been helpful in your progression as a keeper?
"It has made a world of a difference. I've always just kind of been thrown with pads into the net, saying `go.' Rolf helped a little bit, but obviously he was assistant coach my first year and a half of playing, so Ashley has really taught me to break down what I need to do. I've been using what I've learned, and actually implementing it in my game and throughout practice. She's also a really big pusher, and that helps to make you a better player.
What was it like to post your first collegiate shutout?
"I wasn't really focusing on a shutout. Just being able to be the starting goalie and play the whole game well is just such a great experience for me. I love it, and as I said, I'm just sad for it to end."
How would you describe your leadership role on the team as a senior?
"I think definitely being a senior, being older, and being on and off the team, and knowing the girls, has helped me be a better leader. I'm someone who can give advice and I can listen, and I'm very positive, so I think I'm up there with the leaders. I'm always willing to step up and say something if it's needed to be said, and give the extra motivation when it's needed."
What would you like to accomplish in your final season?
"I think my ultimate goal would be for us to win the Big Ten tournament so we could have a chance in advancing. Myself, just maybe trying to let less goals in, some of them are just so close and I'm there. I just really want to win for the team, I think we need it. But I think we're coming along, and every game we're closer."
In what ways do you think being a part of the team has enhanced your experience at MSU?
"Just the friendships. You get to travel around the country with some of your best friends. It's so much fun just joking around at practice, and being able to have the academic advantages of a student-athlete, and always having something there for you. It's been a great experience and I love that I've been a student, I've been an athlete, I've been in the Greek system, I think that I've gotten the best of both worlds throughout my college experience, and field hockey has definitely made it that way."
What will you do once you are done with field hockey?
"I'm in the college of nursing and I have a year left. Then I might go back to P.A. school, but I'm going to work first, because I like being a nurse. We'll see--one more year, then I'm in the real world."
