St. John's University Athletics
Women's Soccer: Q & A With Holly Ryder
9/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 21, 2005
Red Storm soccer player Holly Ryder recently checked in with Redstormsports.com and answered questions about herself, the team and the season. St. John's is entering the bulk of its BIG EAST schedule and is looking to earn its fifth-straight conference tournament berth.
Redstormsports: What is your first soccer memory?
Holly Ryder: I guess where it all started was AYSO, it's a rec soccer league. I was nine years old and I didn't even have soccer shoes, I had softball cleats on. I didn't really know what was going on, but I knew right away that I loved it.
RSS: What is the best thing about St. John's soccer?
HR: Definitely my teammates.
RSS: Who is your favorite athlete at St. John's?
HR: Matt Groenwald is probably the most exciting soccer player I've ever watched.
RSS: What are your plans after graduation?
HR: I want to continue to play soccer, whether that be here or overseas.
RSS: In a movie about your soccer career, who would play you and what would the title be?
HR: The title would be "It Came Off My Shinguard." And I don't know who would play me, someone with big legs.
RSS: What is one of your personal goals for this season?
HR: Just to enjoy every minute of it as much as I can.
RSS: If you could take one attribute from two players on your team, what would you take and from whom?
HR: From Kaitlin Schmidt, I would take her ability to pull something miraculous out of seemingly nowhere. And from Laura Burlacu - she always has something funny to say or do that keeps us smiling. She has a constant grin about everything.
RSS: What is your favorite place on campus?
HR: The part that is most calming to me is the Great Lawn.
RSS: What is your favorite place to play soccer other than Belson Stadium?
HR: My high school field (American Heritage in Plantation, FL).
RSS: Other than family and friends, what is one thing you miss from home?
HR: The relaxing atmosphere.
RSS: What is your favorite part of practice?
HR: Warming up.
RSS: What is your favorite play in soccer?
HR: Counter attack.
RSS: Who is the most famous person you've ever met?
HR: I met Michelle Akers.
RSS: What has been your most memorable soccer game at St. John's?
HR: The game against West Virginia last season. It was such a battle. It was hot and the West Virginia fans are crazy, but we performed really well. It was a close game and just a good game of soccer.
RSS: Being an Italian major, have you ever been to Italy?
HR: Yes, I went with study abroad. It was amazing to see things that are much older than anything we have over here and to connect with the rest of the world. It was an eye-opening experience.