Sports Union August 17, 2018 | Page 24

24 SportsUnion | AUGUST 17, 2018 From Page 17 attitude to everything she does. She was a hard worker on the field and it shows with her teams. Her teams have become an extension of their coach. This is exactly what Carlson needed as she looks to make the transition to college. “Brittany is an amazing coach. She is very com- petitive and wants to win every game, which I love. She makes our practices intense but also fun at the same time. Everyone on our team loves com- ing to practices because of her. But she’s not just our coach she our friend. I go to her for anything I need and she’s always here for me,” stated Carl- son. “Even when I’m just having a tough day I go to her office and she al- ways cheers me up. She is so passionate about the game which inspires me. Me and Brit would be talking soccer non-stop. Right when our season ended last year we began talking about our next season. What we need to do to be ready, who we are gonna play, what gear we should order etc...Brit is one of the strongest people I know. No matter what she has to do she always gets it done. She also is being so strong during her recov- ery which also inspires me. Knowing how strong to Niagara and tour the she is and how hard she campus. The moment works pushes me to do I got there I fell in love the same not just on the with it, I could imagine field but in everything I it becoming my home for do. I couldn’t have asked four years. Because of for a better role model that as soon as I got the to be my coach through offer I accepted it and I have been h i g h school.” “One thing I believe e x t r e m e - Only a ju- ly excit- I bring to the game is nior, Carl- ed ever son has toughness. Physically s i n c e , ” a l r e a d y I use my body well to e x p l a i n e d made her Carlson. “I keep possession and w o u l d n ’ t choice to where she I’m always expecting say that I will con- contact from the am more tinue her relaxed, opposing player,” c o l l e g e I’d say c a r e e r . stated Carlson. more ex- When she cited for stepped foot on the cam- what is to come at Ni- pus of Niagara Univer- agara. It is easier go- sity if just felt like ing into games not wor- home. She knew ried about what college that was exactly coaches were on the side where she wanted lines, but I am still train- to be. It checked ing and playing harder off all the boxes. It than ever to be ready for was close to home, the next level.” great education Even with all the ex- and budding soc- pectations placed on cer program. her and the team, you Committing early would never know Carl- also allowed her to son is feeling the pres- now just focus on sure. Carlson just goes her season. With out and plays the same expectations being game whether the Lanc- high for player and ers are up by two or club, Carlson now down by one. She wor- doesn’t have to ries about what she can worry about where handle around her, and she will be heading not what others are say- to school in a cou- ing. ple of years. Once again, it’s the “My college pro- solid mental part of her cess was relatively game that impresses quick but I knew coaches and everyone Niagara Univer- that knows, and is asso- sity was right for ciated with, her. me. When I start- “I do not put pressure ed the process I on myself for the season. didn’t want to go It’s the same game I play far from home. I all year round and if I had a four hour play my game well that’s radius around my all I can do,” stated Carl- house and I looked son. “We are training to at the schools that have our hard work pay met that standard. off in these games this My coach from the season. We are not look- Western New York ing to sneak up on teams Flash, Aaran Lines, this year. We are going had told me that too fight each game and Niagara was inter- get as far as we can pos- ested and wanted sibly go.” me to call the head coach, Peter Vel- tri. When I called him he wanted me to set a day to come