Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Senior W. Soccer Spotlight: Maddie Fisher
8/11/2015 2:08:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Gavin McFarlin - Assistant SID
DAVIDSON, N.C. — As the 2015 Davidson women's soccer season approaches, davidsonwildcats.com took some time to get to know each of the six seniors who will lead the Wildcats this year.
The 10-question Q&A session with Dani Johnson, Sarah Tuggle, Maddie Fisher, Madison See, Vicky Bruce and Jenni Isaac was designed to help fans get to know the seniors a little more as they play their final season together. Davidson's season opener is Aug. 21 when it hosts Albany at 7:30 p.m. in Alumni Stadium.
The next spotlight features senior defender Maddie Fisher. A three-year letterwinner, Fisher has been a contributor off the bench during her first three years. A native of Indianapolis, Ind., the defender has played in 49 games, while earning 16 starters. A year ago she played in 11 games, starting nine of those contests. Fisher helped the defense hold opponents to a 1.11 goals against average and earn five shutouts on the season. As a sophomore in 2013, she played in 20 of the 'Cats' 21 games and teamed up with a defense that shut out seven opponents.
Today's spotlight highlights defender Maddie Fisher...
Q: What attracted you to Davidson as opposed to other schools in your recruitment?
A: "I ultimately chose Davidson because I though it best suited my current and future needs. I wanted a school where I would be able to play Division I soccer while receiving a top-notch education that would benefit me post-graduation. Davidson's size, small teacher-to-student ratio, and location were all key factors in my decision process."
Q: How was the transition from being a high school athlete to a collegiate one? How did Davidson's staff help you?
A: "I think the hardest part is adapting to a new status quo. In high school, you play with and against players of all skill levels, but only the "good" players in high school get to continue their careers. Collegiate soccer makes you completely redefine what you thought made a "good" player. There is always room to improve, and you have to accept that you will continually work to improve your game. My coaches have provided me fitness packets and identified parts of my game that I can improve upon, which have helped me adjust."
Q: What has been the most surprising part of your Davidson experience?
A: "Moving to the Atlantic 10. I came to Davidson expecting to play the majority of my games in the Southeast, but with the transfer to the Atlantic 10, we now play along the East coast and in the Midwest. The travel time is a lot more than I expected, but it is great exposure for our program and school."
Q: What advice would you have for current high school athletes who are going through the transition to becoming a college athlete? What would you tell students who are considering coming to Davidson?
A: "I think high school students need to evaluate what they want out of their college experience on and off the field and after graduation. Everyone wants a holistic college experience, but you cannot have that if you decide where to go based on one aspect. I would tell students that the Davidson student-athlete experience is different from the student-athlete life at other schools. At Davidson, we really are treated as student-athletes; we are held to the same standards and abide by the same regulations as everyone else, but we also put in the same amount of time for soccer as any other program. It can seem overwhelming at points, but the team and Davidson provide great support services."
Q: What's the hardest part about being a Division I athlete? What do you like the most about it?
A: "Time management. Balancing a full course load, practice, lifting, travel, and games is tough to handle. Nevertheless, I love having a built-in support system. I know my teammates and coaches would be willing to help me through anything."
Q: What do you like the most/least about your sport?
A: "I love the competition; I love being a part of a team, where I am constantly pushed by my peers to improve. Soccer is great because you are part of a team, but you still have times to shine as an individual."
"I do not like all of the injuries a soccer player has to endure. I do not think there is one season I, or most of my teammates, have played through without some sort of ailment. Recovery time is necessary, but it can be tough watching your teammates play while you sit on the sideline. It takes a lot of mental toughness and dedication to return after any injury, and it is heartbreaking to watch teammates leave because of career ending-injuries."
Q: How do you feel your experience as a student and as an athlete at Davidson college will help you in your future?
A: "I have been pushed to my limits both in the classroom and on the soccer field, but these experiences have prepared me for my future. I know that in the future, I will face daunting tasks, but I will be prepared with the knowledge and skills that I have developed at Davidson. As a student and as an athlete I have been a part of several teams, which has allowed me to work with and learn from different personalities. Being a part of a team has made me realize when and how to compromise In addition, I have undergone adversity: sometimes the initial outcome is not what I wanted. Nevertheless, I have learned to be relentless in order to succeed."
Q: How does Davidson's small, intimate size affect you?
A: "Davidson's size is a blessing. The classes are small, so you really get to know your professors as well as the other students. The small size allows you to really be involved on-campus, so you always know what is happening, and you really feel a part of the community."
Q: What are your interests away from the competition arena?
A: "I love to cook; my friends like to refer to me as Chef Madiqui!"
Q: How do you manage school, practice/games, and your social life?
A: "It is definitely a challenge to find time for school, soccer, and friends. Class, practice, and games each have their set times, but sometimes work can take longer than you expected, or you have a last-minute soccer meeting that cuts into your social time. Planning ahead and not waiting until the last minute to do things definitely helps me keep a good balance. Luckily, my teammates are some of my best friends, so hanging out with them takes no planning at all."
Q: What/who is your motivation as an athlete? What drives you?
A: "I think it can be hard and unrewarding to compare myself to others. Obviously, I do, but I try to measure myself based on where I used to be. If I can improve specific areas of my own game, that is an accomplishment. I keep pushing myself because it is expected of me, and I know my teammates and competitors are doing the same, but I ultimately try to compare my progress to my former self."
The 10-question Q&A session with Dani Johnson, Sarah Tuggle, Maddie Fisher, Madison See, Vicky Bruce and Jenni Isaac was designed to help fans get to know the seniors a little more as they play their final season together. Davidson's season opener is Aug. 21 when it hosts Albany at 7:30 p.m. in Alumni Stadium.
The next spotlight features senior defender Maddie Fisher. A three-year letterwinner, Fisher has been a contributor off the bench during her first three years. A native of Indianapolis, Ind., the defender has played in 49 games, while earning 16 starters. A year ago she played in 11 games, starting nine of those contests. Fisher helped the defense hold opponents to a 1.11 goals against average and earn five shutouts on the season. As a sophomore in 2013, she played in 20 of the 'Cats' 21 games and teamed up with a defense that shut out seven opponents.
Today's spotlight highlights defender Maddie Fisher...
Q: What attracted you to Davidson as opposed to other schools in your recruitment?
A: "I ultimately chose Davidson because I though it best suited my current and future needs. I wanted a school where I would be able to play Division I soccer while receiving a top-notch education that would benefit me post-graduation. Davidson's size, small teacher-to-student ratio, and location were all key factors in my decision process."
Q: How was the transition from being a high school athlete to a collegiate one? How did Davidson's staff help you?
A: "I think the hardest part is adapting to a new status quo. In high school, you play with and against players of all skill levels, but only the "good" players in high school get to continue their careers. Collegiate soccer makes you completely redefine what you thought made a "good" player. There is always room to improve, and you have to accept that you will continually work to improve your game. My coaches have provided me fitness packets and identified parts of my game that I can improve upon, which have helped me adjust."
Q: What has been the most surprising part of your Davidson experience?
A: "Moving to the Atlantic 10. I came to Davidson expecting to play the majority of my games in the Southeast, but with the transfer to the Atlantic 10, we now play along the East coast and in the Midwest. The travel time is a lot more than I expected, but it is great exposure for our program and school."
Q: What advice would you have for current high school athletes who are going through the transition to becoming a college athlete? What would you tell students who are considering coming to Davidson?
A: "I think high school students need to evaluate what they want out of their college experience on and off the field and after graduation. Everyone wants a holistic college experience, but you cannot have that if you decide where to go based on one aspect. I would tell students that the Davidson student-athlete experience is different from the student-athlete life at other schools. At Davidson, we really are treated as student-athletes; we are held to the same standards and abide by the same regulations as everyone else, but we also put in the same amount of time for soccer as any other program. It can seem overwhelming at points, but the team and Davidson provide great support services."
Q: What's the hardest part about being a Division I athlete? What do you like the most about it?
A: "Time management. Balancing a full course load, practice, lifting, travel, and games is tough to handle. Nevertheless, I love having a built-in support system. I know my teammates and coaches would be willing to help me through anything."
Q: What do you like the most/least about your sport?
A: "I love the competition; I love being a part of a team, where I am constantly pushed by my peers to improve. Soccer is great because you are part of a team, but you still have times to shine as an individual."
"I do not like all of the injuries a soccer player has to endure. I do not think there is one season I, or most of my teammates, have played through without some sort of ailment. Recovery time is necessary, but it can be tough watching your teammates play while you sit on the sideline. It takes a lot of mental toughness and dedication to return after any injury, and it is heartbreaking to watch teammates leave because of career ending-injuries."
Q: How do you feel your experience as a student and as an athlete at Davidson college will help you in your future?
A: "I have been pushed to my limits both in the classroom and on the soccer field, but these experiences have prepared me for my future. I know that in the future, I will face daunting tasks, but I will be prepared with the knowledge and skills that I have developed at Davidson. As a student and as an athlete I have been a part of several teams, which has allowed me to work with and learn from different personalities. Being a part of a team has made me realize when and how to compromise In addition, I have undergone adversity: sometimes the initial outcome is not what I wanted. Nevertheless, I have learned to be relentless in order to succeed."
Q: How does Davidson's small, intimate size affect you?
A: "Davidson's size is a blessing. The classes are small, so you really get to know your professors as well as the other students. The small size allows you to really be involved on-campus, so you always know what is happening, and you really feel a part of the community."
Q: What are your interests away from the competition arena?
A: "I love to cook; my friends like to refer to me as Chef Madiqui!"
Q: How do you manage school, practice/games, and your social life?
A: "It is definitely a challenge to find time for school, soccer, and friends. Class, practice, and games each have their set times, but sometimes work can take longer than you expected, or you have a last-minute soccer meeting that cuts into your social time. Planning ahead and not waiting until the last minute to do things definitely helps me keep a good balance. Luckily, my teammates are some of my best friends, so hanging out with them takes no planning at all."
Q: What/who is your motivation as an athlete? What drives you?
A: "I think it can be hard and unrewarding to compare myself to others. Obviously, I do, but I try to measure myself based on where I used to be. If I can improve specific areas of my own game, that is an accomplishment. I keep pushing myself because it is expected of me, and I know my teammates and competitors are doing the same, but I ultimately try to compare my progress to my former self."
Players Mentioned
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MF/F
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D
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F/D
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F
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