Senior Maddie Anderson led St. Joe’s Women’s soccer team to a 3-2 road win against University of Richmond in their second game of conference play. Anderson scored two goals in the final 15 minutes of the game. She was named the Atlantic 10 (A-10) Offensive Player of the Week Sept. 18.
The Hawk: When did you begin playing soccer and why?
Anderson: I started playing soccer when I was about five years old. It’s always been in my family; my mom played her whole life. She coached me when I was younger and leading up to college, so it’s really been embedded in our family, and our schedules [revolved] around soccer.
The Hawk: As a long time soccer player, who has been your biggest inspiration?
Anderson: Definitely my mom. We have done everything together soccer wise. She coached me from the beginning, and she’s just been someone that I looked up to my whole entire life, both on and off the soccer field.
The Hawk: What made you choose St. Joe’s?
Anderson: It just felt like home right when I stepped on campus. This was actually the last school that I went on for my recruiting process. I went to a class, I met with a team and the coaches and I fell in love with the school and what their culture was like as a team.
The Hawk: Has receiving A-10 Player of the Week been a goal for you during your college career?
Anderson: Yes. I tore my ACL my first game of my freshman year and I was out for two years after that, so I missed two seasons. Then, I came back and I was still on the outside in the backline. That Richmond game was my first time being back as center midfielder, and I think just to be playing the position that I was recruited for and then getting this A-10 award was really something special because I hadn’t played [that position] since I was in high school.
The Hawk: What was your initial reaction when you found out from your coaches?
Anderson: I was so excited. I honestly couldn’t believe it. After that game, I was hoping that I was going to get the offensive player, but I wasn’t really sure. I didn’t want to really get my hopes up because I know there are a lot of other players in the conference that could have done it.
The Hawk: If there’s one piece of advice you could give to your younger self with all that you’ve accomplished now, what would it be?
Anderson: I think I have to say, ‘don’t give up until you accomplish what you want.’ I know that sounds really corny but, again, I had a pretty bad injury that put me out for two years. I have been lucky enough to recover and start for my senior year. I think looking back on it, as much as I hated going through what I went through, if I was younger and I knew then what I know now, I wouldn’t change my path for literally anything.
