Nicole Caruso: The Element of Surprise
10/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
By Laura Genouw, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant
Senior Nicole Caruso is sure to be remembered by the element of surprise. Known for scoring goals "out of nowhere", according to her teammates, this midfielder's goals have always come unexpectedly.
"It always takes people a second to start cheering," Caruso said. "It's like they need a second to even realize it's in the net."
Last year Caruso appeared in 18 out of 19 games and scored two game-winning goals; the first against New Mexico State and later against Ohio State.
With opportunities at other universities, Caruso's first surprise came when she made the decision to attend Michigan State University.
"Although I was showing interest in other schools, I was really interested in coming to State," Caruso said. "My coach talked to their coach, and they made it happen."
Growing up in Novi, Michigan her road to MSU began at the early age of three when she began playing the sport just to keep herself and her parents busy. When she began playing for her club soccer team, the Novi Jaguars, soccer became less of a hobby and more of an opportunity.
"I started playing club when I was seven," Caruso said. "That really brought me a long way."
She continued to play for the Jaguars and also played for her high school's varsity team at Novi High School.
Upon Caruso's arrival at Michigan State, she was one of only a few to appear in games as a freshman. She made three appearances in her freshman season.
"She came in with great athleticism and talent," head coach Tom Saxton said. "She was able to show the ability to help us on the field even as a freshman."
Saxton said that Caruso has been one of the most consistent players that he has ever had the pleasure of coaching and that she has played an extremely important role for the team throughout her four years.
"She's a total student athlete and really gets the balance between the academic piece," Saxton said. "She gets why we are here and is a pleasure to coach."
Caruso listed one of her favorite memories with the team as making it to the Big Ten Tournament her freshman year. She hopes that this season the team will experience a turn around and make it all the way for her senior year.
As her senior season comes to an end, she said she is thankful to have had her health throughout her four years.
"It's been a fun four years," Caruso said. "It's really bitter-sweet that it's done now."
Her advice to incoming freshman is to work really hard every single day and not take their time here for granted.
"You only have four years here and it goes by really fast," Caruso said. "It flies by, so your time here is limited and you really need to make the most out of everything and your time here."
