University of Minnesota Athletics
Catching up with Laura Hoppe
8/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
On the verge of an exciting and pivotal 2004 season, Minnesota Soccer sits down with one of its fearless leaders, junior captain Laura Hoppe, and asks #5 what it means to be a Golden Gopher...
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
I have one older sister and her name is Kristin.
Do you have any pets?
Actually, my family just got two cats. We have not named them yet but we're thinking Cousin Jaws and Uncle Sam.
What is the biggest difference between the youth level and the college level?
For me the biggest difference would have to be the mental game. Although the physical side of soccer and the technical and tactical side are much more demanding in college soccer, you have to be mentally tough to get through practices, games, and lifting sessions. Much more is expected of you and everyday you have to have a fighter's mentality. You know when you're training someone else on another Big Ten team is out there pushing themselves to beat you in that last 5 minutes of the game. You have to have the mentality that you are going to come in more prepared and out-work that girl that tries to beat you.
What do you ultimately hope to do with your University of Minnesota education?
My plans are tentative at this point because there are many things I would like to do like get into Culinary Arts or own my own little shop but with my major, Family Social Sciences, I want to help kids in one way or another.
Are your parents supportive of the soccer that you play?
My Mom and Dad are the greatest people on the face of this earth. They would support me if I wanted to collect pop cans and live in a van down by the river.
How do you manage to juggle soccer, school, sleep and being a regular person?
Sometimes it gets hard but it's all about managing your time. You know to play soccer you have to have the grades, so you just find a way to get that done. Then to play soccer is going back to the "mental game." I use soccer as my outlet. If I am frustrated or having a bad day, I use it as an escape. Soccer is pretty much my life but I do other things like eat, which I enjoy very much, and hang out with the other goof balls on the team.
What do you think has helped you get this far, on the field and off the field?
Perseverance, God. I don't think anyone has ever accomplished anything or gotten anywhere in life without the two. There are always going to be times in everyone's lives where the suns not always shinning but its in those times that you have to have faith that everything happens for a reason and that everything will work out.
What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses as a player?
I would call myself what Coach Denney Wright likes to call players, "blue collar." I think that one of my biggest attributes is hard work. You can have an insanely technically gifted player but if they don't move off the ball for their teammates and give 75% in games, that's not going to help your team win games. One of my weaknesses would have to be relaxing during games. I sometimes get really worked up and then it hinders me from seeing the field.
What makes the University of Minnesota special?
Our soccer stadium is the best field I have ever played on and many other Gopher teams have amazing facilities. There is an amazing sense of support between student-athletes and we have awesome Nike gear!
What does being a part of Minnesota Soccer mean to you?
Being part of Minnesota soccer means having 20 other girls around you always pushing you to be better and always cheering for you and loving you for who you are. It's about going through trials together, as a team, and becoming better individuals in the end for being a part of something that could never be measured in wins or losses.
What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season?
I am looking forward to seeing the score board.........
On the verge of an exciting and pivotal 2004 season, Minnesota Soccer sits down with one of its fearless leaders, junior captain Laura Hoppe, and asks #5 what it means to be a Golden Gopher...
Do you have any brothers or sisters?
I have one older sister and her name is Kristin.
Do you have any pets?
Actually, my family just got two cats. We have not named them yet but we're thinking Cousin Jaws and Uncle Sam.
What is the biggest difference between the youth level and the college level?
For me the biggest difference would have to be the mental game. Although the physical side of soccer and the technical and tactical side are much more demanding in college soccer, you have to be mentally tough to get through practices, games, and lifting sessions. Much more is expected of you and everyday you have to have a fighter's mentality. You know when you're training someone else on another Big Ten team is out there pushing themselves to beat you in that last 5 minutes of the game. You have to have the mentality that you are going to come in more prepared and out-work that girl that tries to beat you.
What do you ultimately hope to do with your University of Minnesota education?
My plans are tentative at this point because there are many things I would like to do like get into Culinary Arts or own my own little shop but with my major, Family Social Sciences, I want to help kids in one way or another.
Are your parents supportive of the soccer that you play?
My Mom and Dad are the greatest people on the face of this earth. They would support me if I wanted to collect pop cans and live in a van down by the river.
How do you manage to juggle soccer, school, sleep and being a regular person?
Sometimes it gets hard but it's all about managing your time. You know to play soccer you have to have the grades, so you just find a way to get that done. Then to play soccer is going back to the "mental game." I use soccer as my outlet. If I am frustrated or having a bad day, I use it as an escape. Soccer is pretty much my life but I do other things like eat, which I enjoy very much, and hang out with the other goof balls on the team.
What do you think has helped you get this far, on the field and off the field?
Perseverance, God. I don't think anyone has ever accomplished anything or gotten anywhere in life without the two. There are always going to be times in everyone's lives where the suns not always shinning but its in those times that you have to have faith that everything happens for a reason and that everything will work out.
What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses as a player?
I would call myself what Coach Denney Wright likes to call players, "blue collar." I think that one of my biggest attributes is hard work. You can have an insanely technically gifted player but if they don't move off the ball for their teammates and give 75% in games, that's not going to help your team win games. One of my weaknesses would have to be relaxing during games. I sometimes get really worked up and then it hinders me from seeing the field.
What makes the University of Minnesota special?
Our soccer stadium is the best field I have ever played on and many other Gopher teams have amazing facilities. There is an amazing sense of support between student-athletes and we have awesome Nike gear!
What does being a part of Minnesota Soccer mean to you?
Being part of Minnesota soccer means having 20 other girls around you always pushing you to be better and always cheering for you and loving you for who you are. It's about going through trials together, as a team, and becoming better individuals in the end for being a part of something that could never be measured in wins or losses.
What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming season?
I am looking forward to seeing the score board.........
