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GN: Tell us about your history as a soccer player, where you played in high school, select team experience, what colleges recruited you, and how you chose Gonzaga?
AH: For High School, I played at Heritage High School in Littleton, Colorado, for four years. Most of my youth experience came from club soccer where I played for Colorado Girls Soccer Academy for 2 years and the Colorado Rush for 1 year. My club team was a great team and was the USYSA national champions in 2002. Our team got a lot of college exposure and I chose Gonzaga over University of Kentucky, University of Houston, Denver University, and Pepperdine University. I chose Gonzaga because I really liked the team, coaches, and school. I thought the team had great potential!
GN: How did you develop that great drop kick?
AH: What really made me improve the drop kick was trying to practice by kicking balls across Lake Arthur my freshman year with our assistant coach. It gave me a pressure situation and that way if I miss-hit the ball it ended up in the middle of the lake and I had to find a way to get it out. It's not the prettiest drop kick but it's effective.
GN: The soccer team has had some great wins this year over ranked teams such as Oregon State and Pepperdine and against cross-state rival Washington. Do any of these games stand out for you, and why?
AH: All of these wins were huge for our team this year, but the Pepperdine game really sticks out for me. They were ranked in the top 10 and had only lost to UCLA. Additionally, there is a bit of a rivalry there just because it doesn't seem like they respected our wins against them the last 2 years.
GN: You've been the keeper for two of Gonzaga's top wins, the first win against
a ranked team (Pepperdine, 2003) and the first win against a top 10 team (Pepperdine, 2005), and both were shutouts. Is there a secret to your playing so great against the Waves?
AH: I always get really motivated to play against Pepperdine. They are a good team and I still have an old teammate that plays for them. The fact that they recruited me for a bit and decided on another goalkeeper probably has a little bit to do with the motivation as well. For some reason our whole team really likes playing against Pepperdine.
GN: Gonzaga doesn't have a lot in the way of tradition when it comes to women's soccer. What's it like being on the first GU team to be nationally ranked?
AH: I haven't really thought too much about the rankings. It may seem cliche' but they really don't mean much. At the beginning of the year we were selected to finish last in the conference again, so they really don't mean much. I think the nicest part about it is that we are finally receiving some national recognition for being a good team. We always thought we were a good team but now other people think that as well.
GN: Sunday's game against Santa Clara will be the biggest game in GU women's soccer history. How are you and the team preparing?
AH: We need to worry about the San Diego game on Friday first. I think the key for us is to take one game at a time and be sure to finish these last four games strong. After Friday we can start figuring out how to beat Santa Clara.
GN: What does Ashley Haugen like to do when she's not on the soccer pitch?
AH: I love to hang out with my teammates. They are such fun girls and have become a second family for me. They are some of my best pals and there is never a dull moment when we hang out together.
GN: You're a senior and down to your last handful of games as a GU soccer player. What do you want to accomplish in these last few games?
AH: I want to win all of them. The objective from the beginning of the season was to make the NCAA tournament. That hasn't changed, so my goal is to do whatever it takes to get that accomplished.
GN: You and Stacey Sorro are the only seniors on the team. From your perspective, what does the future look like for the Zags?
AH: The future is so bright for this program. There is nothing holding this team back. The coaches have done a really great job recruiting good players and teaching them to play our particular style of soccer. The program is really on the rise and I can't wait to see the girls achieve bigger and better things each year.
GN: What is your major and what are plans for the future?
AH: I will be finishing my undergraduate degree in December, receiving a Bachelor in Business Adminstration with a major in Accounting. I am currently interviewing with some firms now about auditing and assurance positions, but I think there is a big part of me that would love to become a goalkeeper coach. Hopefully I can find some combination that fits me!
GN: Favorite movie?
AH: [laughs] Finding Nemo. I love Disney Movies!
GN: Favorite meal?
AH: Starbucks Grande Iced Carmel Machiato and the Eggcelent bagel from Ultimate Bagel.
GN: CD in your player or song most frequently listened to on your iPod?
AH: The Dance, by Garth Brooks.
GN: Best moment at GU?
AH: There have been so many great moments, and I hope the best are yet to come. I think just being part of the team for the past four years has been such a great expereience and opportunity to be around some truly remarkable athletes and people. I'm thankful everyday!