*What's been the high-light of your season so far either individually or as a team?   All the girls are very easy to get along with and I have made new friends.  Kidnapping was the high-light of the season so far. Spaghetti Works!  

*What is your mental attitude going into a game?  I try to focus and think of things I need to work on during the game to help my team.  

*What's one thing you think your teammates would say about you or tease you about in fun?   When we did conditioning inside, and had to race each other around in a circle, I lost count of how many times I had to go around, so I just kept going and Deanne loves making fun of how into it I was. :)  

*How good do you think LEGS is this year? Or how good do you think this team can become?   We have to work harder this year, but if we work as a team and together I believe we can accomplish a lot.  We all have to work our hardest. 

 *You've played a lot of sports in high school: What's the hardest thing about playing high school sports?    I'd say making sure everyone on the team gets a long, because that helps the team play as a team instead of individuals. 

Senior Erin Reynoldson is providing a strong  example of hard work this season, and her striking ability with either foot as well as her speed are welcome skills. 

IF YOU WERE TO CHANGE THE MASCOT FROM THE SPARTANS TO SOMETHING ELSE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?  ... I think that the Spartans is perfect.  We're tough, dominant, and we never stop fighting.

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR MOST ENJOYABLE NON-GAME EXPERIENCE OF LEGS '08?  Although we work hard, our team isn't afraid to joke around and laugh, and I love that.  We have tons of funny memories already, and if you ask me, fun is what high school sports is about anyway.  Our team bonding sessions and team nights are always really entertaining, and I've become really close to the girls.  And pasta feeds are awesome too. :)

YOU'RE KNOWN TO BE PRETTY INTENSE ON ANY PLAYING FIELD. (THAT'S A GOOD THING!) WHERE DOES THAT INTENSITY COME FROM IN YOU? CAN FAMILY GAMES AT YOUR HOUSE GET PRETTY HEATED?  My whole family loves games, especially Dominoes, Sequence, and card games, but I hate games like that.  They always make me play with them, and I'm really bad, so I always lose.  So I guess my intensity on the field comes from my huge losing streak at home--I'm the athlete in the family, so I have to prove my worth somehow!  My competitive nature is just in my genes I guess.  However, I am proud to say that I dominate on Wii against everyone else at home.

WHO DO YOU THINK WINS THE 100-YARD DASH ON YOUR TEAM TODAY? My money would be on either Amanda, Nat, or Dee.  We have some fast girls.

KNOWING HOW HARD YOUR TEAM WORKS AND IS PLAYING RIGHT NOW, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE REALISTIC GOALS AHEAD?  I think the Northstar game really helped our confidence, and it showed how far we've come as a team.  We really came together in that second half.  If we keep our focus and put together two solid halves in a game, I really think we have a shot at getting to state, especially if we're the top seed in our district.  We've struggled with some lapses in games, but if we continue to work hard and improve, the problems can be fixed.  Most of all, we have to believe in ourselves.  If anyone on our team doubts that we can go far at the end of the season, then it's not going to happen.  It's cliche, but attitude really does make a huge difference.

A dedicated soccer player since she was a tyke and a four-year letter-winner at East, senior Deanne Schmidt has not only put in her time, but has gotten results. Besides being part of a state championship in 2005 and a runner-up in 2006, she’s helped capture four state cup titles. Her club team, Elkhorn Inferno won the Midwest Regional League title this fall. Known as a midfielder whose quickness and foot skills combine to create opportunities to find the net or lay off a timely pass, Schmidt is a playmaker in the 2008 LEGS arsenal.

WHAT'S YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF PLAYING SOCCER?
DS: My earliest memory is playing Y soccer with the boys in Iowa, I was one of the few girls that played and we have some of my games on tape. Some of my "moves" and "celebrations" are pretty embarrassing.

WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR 'SOCCER' INFLUENCES?
DS: Two of my coaches from my club teams, John Frey and Tina Trimborn, had big influences on soccer and how it is involved in my life. John taught me a lot about being a good person both on and off the field and taught me a lot of my basic and early soccer techniques. Tina really taught me the game of soccer at a higher level. She connected with her players very well and we all bought into her coaching and motivation.

WHAT'S 'TUNED IN' ON YOUR MP3 PLAYER RIGHT NOW?
DS: Currently, I'm listening to a lot of the new Jack Johnson stuff, but pretty much anything and everything. I have a very eclectic taste in music.

FAVORITE PRE-GAME SNACK/ROUTINE?
DS: I don't really have any pre-game routines or anything, I try to listen to music that both motivates me and calms me at the same time. In warm-ups I try to go all out to get game ready.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT LEGS SOCCER?
DS: The tradition and reputation that comes along with being part of the program. LEGS is known to have good athletes and soccer players who are good people and students. The closeness of the team and program is also something that is really cool.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT COACH MO?
DS: He always knows when to crack a joke and make people laugh.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST TO DO WHEN YOU PLAY? ANYBODY WHO WATCHES YOU WOULD THINK THAT IT'S JUKINIG OTHER PLAYERS OUT OF THEIR BOOTS. IS THATA FALSE ASSUMPTION?
DS: Of course juking people is always fun, but I really like setting up my teammates for goals and seeing them be successful out on the field too. But I would take juking out a Southwest or Southeast player any day.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE STRENGTH OF YOUR CURRENT TEAM IS--OTHER THAN THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP, OF COURSE?
DS: I really think that this team is a close group of girls. We all get along great and have fun at practices and think that is an important element to have in order for a team to be successful. No matter if we win or lose, I know that my teammates on this team always have my back!