University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Soccer Senior Spotlight: Carlie Edwards
6/26/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
In an eight-part series this summer, Gophersports.com will correspond with each of the eight Gopher soccer seniors to catch up and chat about everything from their favorite munchies to their most poignant Minnesota soccer memories.
This year’s senior class, which includes six players from Minnesota and two more from the state of Iowa, are a prime example of the focus that head coach Mikki Denney Wright and her coaching staff have put on keeping the best home-grown Midwestern and Minnesotan talent at the U and sporting Maroon and Gold.
Carlie Edwards (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) enters her senior season as a bit of a wild card in the Gopher attack. Playing as a defender for her first two seasons as a Gopher, Edwards was moved to forward for the 2007 season, but tore her ACL during a September practice only four games into the season. This year, Edwards looks to contribute at either forward or midfield positions as Minnesota hopes to add a scoring punch to their group up front.
During her freshman and sophomore seasons, Edwards was part of a much-improved defensive corps that was among the stingiest in the Big Ten. Appearing in 16 matches and making seven starts during her first two seasons, Edwards was a key cog in a defensive unit that set a school record with a 0.84 goals against average (GAA) in 2005 and notched seven shutouts to go along with a 1.18 GAA in 2006.
A three-sport athlete at Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights, Edwards was a five-year letterwinner for the Spartan soccer team where she was named All-Classic Suburban Conference three times and collected MSHSL All-State honors during her senior season in 2005. An outstanding athlete, she also lettered in golf three times and in hockey twice.
In addition to her athletic pursuits, Edwards has also been outstanding in the classroom. The senior earned four straight academic letters in high school and is on track to graduate with a degree in elementary education from the U.’
“Carlie is a extremely coachable young woman who takes her training and her commitment to self development very seriously,” Denney Wright said. “I am so proud of the growth she has made as a player, as a person and as a student during her time in our program. She is a wonderful example for Minnesota Soccer.”
Gophersports.com: What are you up to this summer?
Carlie Edwards: From mid May to mid June, I was a nanny for two girls. I could only watch them for a month because I started summer school mid June. I’m taking two summer math classes through August. I’m also playing soccer with my sister’s Mankato alumni team in the Minnesota Women’s Soccer League. Since I tore my ACL last fall, I thought it would be a good idea to play this summer. I haven’t played soccer with my older sister since high school, so it has been a lot of fun. Kaitlin Wagner is also playing with us.
GS: What has been your favorite memory during your Gopher career?
CE: Having my whole family (parents, sister, boyfriend, grandparents, aunt & uncle, and my little cousin) attend every home soccer game and being a good role model for my little cousin Avary. She just signed up for soccer and I can’t wait to go watch her.
GS: What non-Gopher sports team do you root for the hardest?
CE: Two teams; Minnesota Storm (wrestling) and the Houston Texans.
GS: Do you have any guilty pleasures?
CE: I could people-watch all day. The best place to people watch is in Las Vegas.
GS: What is your favorite on-campus restaurant?
CE: Vescio’s.
GS: Your senior class features six girls from Minnesota and two more from Iowa. What do you think is the coolest thing about playing on a team that is so homegrown?
CE: We have the best support you could ask for. A lot of us are the youngest in the family, so we might just be spoiled. I remember one time we were playing at Brown on the East Coast and we had more fans than they did. I just hope this support continues.
GS: What are you looking forward to most for this 2008 soccer season?
CE: I’m looking forward to just getting the chance to play again since last season’s injury. I’ve been doing a lot of rehab, lifting and running. Come August 5th I’ll be ready to go!
