Sept. 24, 2001
By: Jonathan Gust, Villanova Media Relations
Posting shutouts in two of her first four starts in 2001, sophomore goalkeeper Chrissy Dolan has shown that she has what it takes to be one of the most promising young goalkeeping talents around. I recently sat down and spoke with Chrissy about how she started with the game of soccer, how she came to arrive at Villanova, and what it takes to succeed as a goalkeeper at the collegiate level.
Jonathan Gust: When did you start playing soccer?
Chrissy Dolan: I have been playing since I was five, but not really competitively. I played in high school, but I was never thinking about the college level at any point. Heading into my junior year, I joined a club team called the Council Rock Sting (Pa.). They opened up a lot of opportunities for me in the sense of being recruited.
JG: What is the significance of club soccer as compared with high school soccer?
CD: In high school, sometimes you get kids who are just out there to play and have no intent of playing at another level. Whereas on a club team, you have everyone striving to get to the highest level possible. At that point, the goal would be college soccer. At the club level, everyone is working to get there so it is a lot more competitive and the games are more intense - more so than in high school where you can be the best player in the country but be on a really bad high school team.
JG: What were some of your other college options besides Villanova?
CD: I was also looking to play basketball. That was sort of my main intent through most of my high school years. It wasn't until my junior year that I started to see more options. I decided to explore everything. Bucknell was one of my number one choices for soccer and/or basketball. I wasn't going to play both - either one or the other. Johns Hopkins for basketball. Villanova was really my number one choice to begin with.
JG: What made you choose soccer over basketball?
CD: I really wanted to go to Villanova. At that point, I got offered a great opportunity to play here. I really enjoyed the team. Visiting here was a really great experience and I could just see myself here more so than anywhere else.
JG: Did you ever think of trying to walk on the Villanova women's basketball team?
CD: Not so much anymore. You always think about it, but...Because I did play with Jana Reiniger who is now on the Villanova women's basketball team. We were on the same club team and the same AAU team. So I know what the competition is like, but as for now I am quite happy with soccer.
JG: What was your first impression of head coach Ann Clifton and the Villanova coaching staff?
CD: They are very intense, but also laid back in the sense that they make you feel comfortable. They are not pushy at all. They let you make your own decisions, but they are there for anything you need. They made the choice very easy to make by giving me a lot of information about the team, about themselves and about the program.
JG: Was knowing that the Villanova women's soccer team had a talented goalkeeper in Janel Schillig, who at that time was only a junior, a positive or negative for you?
CD: In high school I played every game, so it was a little tough to get used to. But at the same time, it gave me a little wake up call and rejuvenated my whole work ethic. It changed me mentally, because I knew that I may not play a lot right away but every practice I am pushing Janel so that she becomes better.
JG: Is the relationship between goalkeepers a competitive one?
CD: When we are playing we are competitive...I mean everyone is. Not just us. You go out on the field and you hear everyone yelling and chirping. You wouldn't even know we were all great friends. Janel and I have a really good relationship. I respect her so much and respect what she has done for the program here. She has definitely helped build a great foundation. We'll get competitive but not more than anyone else...because we understand each other at the same time.
JG: What was it like getting your first taste of playing time last year?
CD: It was very nerve-wracking. My confidence level was not as high as it is now for the mere fact of the lack of experience. This is a whole new ballgame. It is so different than high school soccer or even club soccer. My nerves were definitely running high. More so than last year, my confidence is a lot higher. When I go into games now, I am not playing "not to lose"...I am playing to win.
JG: With the shot totals so lop-sided in our favor this season, is it more difficult being a goalkeeper back there not facing very many shots?
CD: It is a little bit tougher for the fact that you are not as active. I think one reason the shot totals are the way they are is because we have a phenomenal defense. The offense has also done an outstanding job and has really picked it up shooting the ball and getting more opportunities. Our whole team is playing really well together.
JG: What are some of the keys to being a successful goalkeeper at the college level?
CD: Paul (Royal), Villanova Assistant Coach, tells us all the time that our decision making is key. You need to be a very good decision maker - when to go, when not to go. That separates a lot of good goalkeepers from excellent goalkeepers. Most goalkeepers at this level are good shot blockers. So making good decisions and extending your range is really the difference between the high school level and the college level.
JG: How big a part of your career at Villanova has assistant coach Paul Royal been, since it is his job to work with the goalkeepers?
CD: We have a different relationship with Paul than most of the team does because he does train us. He is a goalkeeper himself, so he understands what we are going through. He is a great teacher and a great motivator. He knows how to get you going, make you work harder...because there are sometimes that you have to pick it up and just do it. He leads by example because he is a great person and a great coach.
JG: What has been the biggest difference between last year's 11-8 team and this season's team that is 5-1-1 through their first seven games?
CD: Heart. Our heart has shown through now more than ever. We are playing with more emotion, more confidence. Our whole training environment is so intense and so competitive, that the game's barely compare to what we see everyday against each other. I feel that right now we have such good confidence, such good team chemistry, and heart and emotion, that we are kind of hard to beat at this point. We can be down 2-0 and come back and beat a team.
JG: What is your feeling about the state of the Villanova women's soccer program?
CD: I think that right now Villanova is a great place to be if you want to play soccer. We have a great program, great coaches, great support from the university. At a lot of universities, women's soccer programs don't have that. So I think that right now, this is the place to be. We have a new locker room. The fields are always kept in top shape. We are getting the respect we deserve and that is a really big thing.
JG: What goals were set forth by this team at the beginning of the season?
CD: We believe that we can make it to the Big East final and come out with a win. We would like to go to the tournament this year, and do well. We want to keep concentrating on right now, because these are the games that are going to lead up to that. We want to accomplishments all of out goals, so we can show everyone else who we are and what we are about.
JG: How great an experience has it been to have the Philadelphia Charge makes its home at Villanova?
CD: It has been a phenomenal experience because I think only one other professional women's soccer team is at a university. We are very fortunate to have the Philadelphia Charge here. One of the best things about them is that they don't have a lot of superstars and big names, and you see how well they did and how hard they work. You see them out there all the time training, you see their intensity, their skill level. And it gives you a little reality check - whether or not you can make it there, and what it's like to be there. We are just very fortunate to have them here because they have brought a lot to the sport and to the university.
