Sept. 12, 2007
It has been quite a start to the 2007 season for La Salle University Women's Soccer, as the team is off to the second-best start in school history: 3-1-0; and for one of its players as well: senior tri-captain Kristin Hextall.
The senior, who just recently moved up on the career list in four categories: Goals (T-4th, 21); Assists (6th, 13); Points (5th, 55), Shots (4th, 163), has two game-winning goals this season and 10 for her career. After a slow start last year - Hextall did not record a point until October 1, 2006 - she now has tallied 10 goals and eight assists since that game and the Explorers have gone 9-4-1 since. She already has three goals and two assists in 2007.
A recent sit-down with the forward revealed among other things, that she still prefers the East Coast to the West Coast - the Bishop Eustace grad now takes up residence in Manhattan Beach, California - and a very interesting childhood aspiration.
Why did you choose La Salle?
Paul (Royal) was the first one to come to me and really sparked my interest. La Salle was far enough away from home, but again, just close enough. I really like the team and, of course, Paul, and they really have a great nursing program here, so it was an easy decision.
What improvements have you seen in the program since coming here?
It has been a complete turnaround from my first preseason day until now. My first day, players didn't come in fit and all we did during preseason would be running, running, and more running. Now, we know that we need to come in fit, players know what it takes to be successful, so we all do what we need to do in the off-season.
What was your greatest memory of your soccer career so far?
In high school, we always won the South Jersey State, but in my junior year, we won the entire state tournament and I scored the winning goal. That was probably the greatest memory.
What would you like to accomplish this season?
Team-wise, we definitely want to make it back to A-10s and this time win it. Personally, I would like to make first team - before the season we met with the coaches about individual goals, and if I meet those, I think I will be. But the most important thing is the team goals.
Last season, the staff showed you "Dare to Dream", what did you take from that?
I didn't really watch the World Cup back then, but when we watched that movie, we were like `wow!' I didn't know how they pretty much went from nothing to that. Actually, Kimmie (Lisun), Jenna (Guagenti), and I were up at 5 AM (Tuesday) to watch the women play North Korea (in this year's World Cup).
What do you do to prepare for a game?
It starts like two days away for me. I make sure that I get really good sleep two nights before. And then we always have a nice team pasta dinner the night before. Then always before each game, we say are motto in the huddle "Team - First, Last, and Always".
Who is your biggest inspiration/role model?
I'm not sure if I really have one - I know most people say their parents, so I guess my dad (former NHL goalie Ron Hextall). If I ever have a rough time with anything, I will give him a call and he always knows what to say. I mean, he has been through a lot of things, so he always makes it better for me.
Word Associations
Soccer: the best sport.
Practice: pretty intense.
La Salle: awesome.
SprintTurf: the best present ever!
Paul Royal: A very intense person.
Dan Mannella: One of the funniest guys ever.
Getting to know her teammates.
Who is the funniest? Simone Canfarotta
the serious? Kim Voorhees
the smartest? Amy Grant and Michelle Verzi
the hardest worker? Ally Kenney
the best dressed? Lauren Malizia
the person who overpacks for trips? Jenna Guagenti
Getting to know more about Kristin.
What possession could you not live without? My cellphone.
What is/was your favorite cartoon? Tom and Jerry
Who did you have your first celebrity crush on? Jonathan Taylor Thomas
What is your favorite meal? Chili
When you were 10, what did you want to be? The first women in the NHL and the captain of the (Philadelphia) Flyers.
