Colorado University Athletics
Seniors To Leave Lasting Mark On Soccer Program
October 28, 2015 | Soccer
BOULDER - The University of Colorado soccer team will say goodbye to seven seniors this weekend as they are set to play the final home matches of their careers on Sunday. That match vs. Arizona State will kick off at 2 p.m. at Prentup Field.
Madi Krauser, Ashley Love, Nikki Machalek, Olivia Pappalardo, Emily Paxton, Kate Scheele and Heather Ward make up this year's senior class. Kahlia Hogg, who started the first six matches this season, is expected to return next season after missing most of the season with an injury.
The seven seniors that will be graduating have combined for 211 career starts and 23 goals, making a lasting mark on the Buffs soccer program. Over the past four years, the Buffs have a record of 43-30-9, including three wins in two NCAA Tournament appearances.
“This is a very special group of seniors,” head coach Danny Sanchez said. “They all committed to our great university and stuck to that commitment even after a coaching change was made. They were the catalysts for getting our soccer program back to the NCAA Tournament in 2013 and 2014. They brought so much to our university and soccer program and will be sorely missed. These Buffs will be successful wherever life takes them.”
Here is a closer look at each senior:
Madi Krauser, 5-foot-3, defender/forward from Irvine, Calif. (Woodbridge H.S.)
· Why did you choose CU? The environment and mountains
· What's your pregame routine? Music stretching out and foam rolling
· What's your goal after graduation? Backpack in Europe
· 75 career appearances, 72 career starts, nine goals, 15 assists (ranks fourth all-time in CU history), 33 points, 119 shot attempts, two game-winning goals
· Three assists vs. Tennessee-Martin (Sept. 8, 2013) tied the school record for assists in a match
· 2012 Pac-12 All-Freshman team
· 2013 Omni Hotels Colorado Women's Soccer Classic All-Tournament team
· 2013 Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention
· 2014 Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention
Ashley Love, 5-foot-2, forward from Walnut Creek, Calif. (Las Lomas H.S.)
· What's your goal after graduation? Use my business degree to manage a business
· What did you choose CU? The beautiful town and area around the school, plus the amazing school spirit
· What's your pregame routine? Listening to music to pump myself up
· 18 career appearances, three shot attempts
Nikki Machalek, 5-foot-5, forward from Boulder, Colo. (Fairview H.S.)
· What's the best thing about competing in the Pac-12? It's the best conference and most competitive
· What's your plan after graduation? Attend medical school
· What significance does your jersey number (22) have? It's my birthday
· 31 career appearances, one goal, one assist, three points, three shot attempts
Olivia Pappalardo, 5-foot-5, midfielder from Chicago, Ill. (Maine South H.S.)
· What famous person would you like to meet? Derrick Rose and Patrick Kane
· What are your game day superstitions? I have to put my gear on in the same order
· What's the significance of your jersey number? I've had it for every sport I've played since 2nd grade
· What are your plans after graduation? Move back to Chicago and apply to graduate school to continue my education in psychology
· 72 career appearances, 53 starts, three goals, seven assists, 13 points, 51 shot attempts, three game-winning goals
· 2014 Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention
Emily Paxton, 5-foot-5, forward from Anthem, Ariz. (Boulder Creek H.S.)
· What's your pregame routine? Rap music
· What's the best thing about competing in the Pac-12? Playing in the strongest conference
· Why did you choose CU? The location, conference and school itself
· 79 career appearances, 21 starts, eight goals, six assists, 22 points, 66 shot attempts, one game-winning goal (earlier this season in overtime vs. California)
· 2015 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 29)
· 2015 CU Female Athlete of the Week (Sept. 29)
Kate Scheele, 5-foot-8, goalkeeper from Seattle, Wash. (Roosevelt H.S./transfer from Colorado College)
· What are you most likely to be doing off the field? Hunting or at the horse stables
· Why did you pick CU? The players here create an incredible environment and the coaches are skilled. Also competing in the Pac-12 was a dream of mine.
· What's your goal after graduation? To play professionally and then serve for our armed forces
· 37 career appearances, 35 starts, 0.81 goals-against average (ranks first in CU history), .796 save percentage, 21-11-2 record, 14 shutouts (ranks fourth in CU history)
Heather Ward, 5-foot-11, defender from Littleton, Colo. (Dakota Ridge H.S.)
· What's your pregame routine? Listening to music in the locker room
· What are you most likely to be doing off the field? Hanging out with friends and sleeping
· What's your goal after graduation? Travel to new places
· 62 career appearances, 30 starts, two goals, four points, 21 shot attempts, one game-winning goal
· 2013 Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention
· 2014 Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention
