Oct. 1, 2008
La Salle Women’s Soccer has just passed the halfway point of its regular season and has posted a 5-4-1 record in 10 matches. However, just three of those games have been played at McCarthy Stadium, where the Explorers are 3-0 this season, have won four in a row overall, and seven of their last eight. And a good thing for them, since six of their next eight games are at home.
A big reason for this success has been their goalkeeping, as La Salle has posted five shutouts in those last eight home games, including three straight at home in 2008. Picking up four of those five blankings has been the Explorers’ sophomore netminder Melissa Sanger.
Sanger has started eight games at McCarthy Stadium in her short time with the squad and holds a 6-2-0 mark with a 0.82 goals allowed average and an 82.9 save percentage. She has surrendered just seven goals in that time and has stopped 34 shots.
Despite all the success, Sanger still has the mindset that even when she allows a single goal in a La Salle win, she “takes it bad, that I let the team down. But after games like that, I talk to my brother Joel (a junior at Rowan), who is also a goalkeeper and he understands where I am coming from.”
That is why Sanger adds him as one of her role models, along with her parents. A recent sit-down with her also reveals how much her teammates, especially her roommates, mean to her as well.
Q&A:
Why did you choose La Salle?
For the soccer program. When I met the coaches, Paul and Dan just sold the program to me and it was an easy decision.
What is your greatest soccer memory (HS/Club/La Salle)?
Last year, our game at UMass. Before the game, we were all sitting around the lobby and (Kristin) Hextall says to me, ‘hey Sanger, what are you going to do if they get a PK?” and then they did and I saved it. Of note – La Salle won the game 2-1 as Hextall scored both goals.
Do you do anything special to prepare for a game/how do you prepare for a game
I don’t really do anything special. I just like to listen to my music…Spanish music.
Who is your role model/inspiration?
My parents. They have always been there for me and have never missed a game, unless they really had to. Also, my brother, who is also a goal keeper (a junior at Rowan).
What is the best thing and worst thing about being a student athlete?
Best thing is playing the sport, being involved with the team. We are like a family.
Worst thing is time management.
If you weren’t playing soccer, where and what would you be doing?
I would probably be living at home and taking classes at a community college, and working.
What is your favorite spot on campus?
Our apartment – because of my roommates, Traci (DePasquale) and Morgan (Golden), and our neighbors, Kim (Voorhees), Carissa (Philips), Sara (Copare), and Lauren (Cittadino).
Teammates:
Funniest – Lauren Barker
Serious – Traci DePasquale
Smartest on the field – Becky McGuigan
Smartest in the classroom – Amy Grant
Hardest worker – Ally Kenney
Best dressed – Morgan Golden
Worst to travel with – Kelly O'Steen
Knowing the freshmen: (new questions, goes 5-for-8, with a little help)
Who has had six surgeries already? Jess Hopton
Whose favorite Halloween costume was Barney? Erin Brennan
Whose favorite sport (besides soccer) is Ice Hockey? Kierstyn Mabey (x)
Whose favorite movie is Mean Girls? Lindsay Garbowski
Who used to race cars when they were younger? Leigh Gray (x)
Who once kicked a 35-yard field goal in a Powder Puff football game? Dani Allizzo
Whose mom works for the Franklin Mint? Amanda Komarnicki
Whose dad has a patent for floss picks? Paige Troutman (x)
Quick questions:
TV show you can’t miss? One Tree Hill
Reality show you’d like to be on? Road Rules
Super power you’d like to have? Fly
Possession you can’t live without? Cell phone
What did you want to be when you grew up? Soccer Player
What is/was your favorite cartoon? Rocket Power
Who did you have your first celebrity crush on? Jonathon Taylor Thomas
What is your favorite meal? Stuffed Shells
What is your favorite movie? Love and Basketball
What is the website you visit the most? facebook
Who are the three people you would have dinner with? Traci DePasquale, Morgan Golden, Michelle Verzi
You choose (Bold is selection):
Ice cream – Chocolate or Vanilla
Vacation Spot – Beach or Mountains
Friends – High school or college
Music – Rock, Rap, or country
Tv – Grey’s Anatomy, The Hills, or Gossip Girl
Campus Food – Union, B&G, or Tree Tops
Uniforms – White, Blue, or Gold
Games – Day or Night; Home or Away
Actor – Matthew McConaughey, Mark Wahlberg, or Brad Pitt
Comedian – Seth Grogan, Dave Chappelle, or Steve Carell
