University of Minnesota Athletics
Meet the Newcomers: Emma May
6/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Hockey
By Hannah Barnes, Athletic Communications Student Intern
MINNEAPOLIS - The Golden Gopher women's hockey team is excited to welcome nine new players for the upcoming season, including freshman Emma May, a native of Eagan, Minn. A left-handed goaltender, May led her high school team, Cretin-Derham Hall, to a 19-3-3 record as a senior and will join the Gophers for the 2015-16 season.
As Cretin-Derham Hall's starting goaltender, May posted a save percentage of .916 with a 1.63 goals against average during her senior year. Cretin-Derham Hall won the Suburban East Conference regular season title but fell in the section playoffs in 2014-15. May was named a Minnesota Ms. Goalie finalist as a senior as well.
May joins Anna Barlow, Tianna Gunderson, Caitlin Reilly, Sarah Potomak, Nicole Schammel, Sophie Skarzynski, Sierra Smith and Taylor Williamson to make up next season's incoming class. Stay tuned as GopherSports.com introduces each of the new Gophers.
Gopher Sports: How did you first start playing hockey?
Emma May: I started playing hockey when I saw my brother put on a pair of skates. I realized that I wanted to wear the same skates. I thought that I could do anything he could, even though he was three years older than me, and probably a lot better. I think he pushed me into playing hockey; I started out as a defenseman like he was, and continued at that position for the longest time, until I decided I couldn't be a defenseman anymore because I was too slow. Then I decided to become a goalie.
GS: When did you start playing goalie?
EM: I started playing goalie my seventh grade year.
GS: Did you play any other sports growing up?
EM: I was a 'try every sport possible' kind of person growing up. I stayed with dance for a while, which is a little weird for a hockey player. I played soccer, and recently tried track & field, just to see how I would do. I love trying new things.
GS: What made you choose the University of Minnesota?
EM: I liked how close it is to my family. I also liked the academics in general because there are so many programs that give you a lot opportunities to excel in life. There are definitely many ways to make connections. The hockey team is just great and feels like a family. I knew a lot of the girls before I came here, Megan Wolfe was even my next door neighbor.
GS: Do you have a major or career field in mind?
EM: I want to do something related to business and sports marketing. I would like to be on the broadcasting side of sports, or behind the scenes.
GS: Other than hockey, what do you like to do in your free time?
EM: I definitely like to spend time with family and friends. I think it's important to have those relationships, especially when a lot of your time is dedicated to a sport that you love.
GS: What are you most looking forward to about playing for the Gophers?
EM: I'm just excited to be a part of the team in general. When I visited, I loved that the team felt so close-knit. They were basically a family, and I love that atmosphere. That's one of the reasons I went to Cretin-Derham Hall in high school; you know everyone and are very close. When I came here and saw how close they are, it made me realize that this is the team I wanted to be part of.
GS: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?
EM: I have a lot, I'm a goalie, and we're kind of weird! I'm a dancer, so I dance a lot. It doesn't matter the song, I just have to dance. I do the typical bouncing tennis balls off the wall and catching them. I talk to myself sometimes, but we don't have to get into that.
GS: Who was your hockey role model growing up?
EM: Definitely my brother. He's been through a lot with hockey and still loves the game, and I think that is what makes me love it even more. He makes me want to try harder to show him that I can be the best that I can.
GS: What is your favorite part about playing hockey?
EM: I am definitely a person who likes the tension and anticipation leading into the game. I love the feeling of teamwork, too.
GS: How did it feel to be a Ms. Goalie finalist?
EM: It was really cool. It was definitely an honor, I didn't think that I would get up there because it's such a big title. I loved the banquet, too. It's fun to hear people's stories about how they got into goaltending, or what they think is their shining moment. Goalies are all a little weird, so when we get together it's fun.
GS: How does it feel to have another opportunity to play with your former teammate Megan Wolfe?
EM: It will definitely be really fun because we are very close and already hang out all of the time. I am really excited to be able to be on a team with her again.
GS: As a goaltender, what is your approach to shutouts?
EM: Well, I hate getting jinxed for shutouts. My old coach used to say, "The bakery is not open," implying that there would be no goals. I would always tell myself that before a game and got really superstitious. Shutouts are definitely something to be extremely proud of, and it's not just being proud of yourself, but it's being proud of your team, too. A shutout means that your team is solid in front of you, and they are helping you out throughout the whole game.
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