Two of the biggest bright spots for this year's FIU women's soccer team both happen to be in their first collegiate season. Both goalkeeper Melanie Raimo (Tampa, Fla.) and defender/forward Katrina Rose (Weston, Fla) have had a huge impact for the Golden Panthers in their first fall at FIU.
Raimo, second in the Sun Belt Conference in saves, and Rose, tied for the team lead in goals, had a few minutes to let us know what the change from high school to college soccer has been like.
What has been the biggest on the field change from high school to college?
MR: It's a completely different game coming from high school. Not as many players took soccer seriously back in high school and I was one of the few on my team who did. Now you come here and everybody works hard all the time and you see the heart in everybody.
KR: The biggest change from high school to college for me is how much more physical college is. Fouls aren't called nearly as much and the girls definitely kick a lot harder.
What is the best part about playing Division 1 soccer?
MR: The best part of playing soccer here is just being on a team that has the same love and passion to do the right thing on and off the field.
KR: It's a higher level. The training's a lot more difficult which I like and I really like the challenge of playing against the better competition to make myself better. The traveling is definitely also a plus.
What is the most difficult part about being a college soccer player?
MR: The most difficult part of being a soccer player here is definitely the running. As a keeper, running is almost always going to be the most difficult thing. Waking up at 6 a.m. isn't the easiest thing either. I've always been dedicated but this is on a completely different level.
KR: The hardest part about soccer here is the training and conditioning. Besides that, it's also been a little difficult learning some different positions compared to the ones I had played in high school.
Is this what you expected out of your first season at FIU?
MR: This is more than I've expected in a lot of ways. I would have wanted a few more wins but we're getting there and there's really nothing else I could have wanted from the team. They're a great group of girls that I love playing with.
KR: I actually expected the college level to be a lot harder but it's still a challenge that I have to overcome because the level of competition is still very high.
The Golden Panthers, in the midst of a three game win streak, will travel to Arkansas-Little Rock for an 8 p.m. match on Friday before heading to Arkansas State on Sunday for a 2 p.m. match.
