Ashley Homer is the starting goalkeeper for the Western women’s soccer team. She is a junior and plans on majoring in sociology. Homer transferred from College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY, and went to high school in Puyallup. After redshirting last season, she has started in all 10 games this season and has tallied six shutouts. Homer has helped lead the Vikings to a 9-0-1 start.
Q: What made you decide to transfer to Western Washington University?
A: They were a part of the Final Four a couple years ago, and they’ve always been a great program. It’s closer to home, because I was in New York, I could only come home twice a year. I like the atmosphere around Bellingham, the program and the school.
Q: What lessons did you learn in New York that you’re bringing to Western?
A: I got a lot of playing time there so I have the experience to come in. I had a big spot to fill. Ashley Haden played great and I had to step in those shoes. We went to the Final Four as well so I have that experience… I got to be on that caliber of a team.
Q: So far on the season you’re undefeated with only one tie, how do you think your team’s been doing it?
A: We put in a lot of work during pre-season, and each game we’ve been getting better and better. We’re just trying to do the little things—get better at every practice, pick up the speed and just improve game by game.
Q: What’s been your favorite game so far with Western?
A: Probably Bridgeport… we had the atmosphere, and we came out strong against a strong opponent and we proved ourselves.
Q: Following up to that question, playing on ESPN — how do you prepare for something like that?
A: We were all a little nervous coming in and seeing all those fans...but we were all excited. Once we got to the field and then the locker room, we pushed all that aside and just played.
Q: Can you give us your personal goal for the season?
A: Just get better, get shutouts and try to keep a strong defense. It all starts with the defense, so as long as we’re doing our jobs, just get shutouts.
Q: As a team, do you have a goal?
A: Yeah, we want to get back to the Final Four again. We want to be in that position, so we’re going to do everything it takes to get in the best position possible to get back there.
Q: As a student athlete, how do you balance your time between the classroom and the pitch?
A: It’s tough, but it’s nice that we don’t start school until late September, so we’re already traveling and get most of our traveling done when we’re not in classes, but Trav [head coach Travis Connell] keeps it minimal during training. We’re not out here for three or four hours, so we have plenty of time to get our school work done as well.
Q: What’s been your favorite place to travel so far as a team?
A: Well last year was Pensacola, Florida. That was fun. This year we only really went to California, but Florida was probably my favorite.
