The NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament kicks off today, and we were fortunate to speak to Sarah Hagen of the University of Milwaukee, one of the best goal scorers in Division I history. Through 19 games this season, the senior has scored 24 goals and in her career has 91 goals in 84 games. On Saturday UWM will be hosting Illinois State, looking to revenge an earlier season loss to the Redbirds and gain their first win in the NCAA tournament for this senior class.
Soccer Banter: The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee has tied the school record for wins with 18 and earlier in season had some big out of conference wins, what do you attribute to the teams success so far this season?
Sarah Hagen: Initially this season the underclassmen and specifically the freshman did a great job and were ready to play right from the start. We had 3-4 players that stepped in at the start of this season and their ability has been a major impact on our team. Now these players have more experience from those early season games and our success has continued to carry over into each game.
SB: You score a lot of goals, 91 goals in 84 games to be exact…for those that haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
SH: I am fairly tall and I’m very physical on the field. I am able to hold the ball pretty well up top, which helps our team in possession. I think one of my best attributes is my ability to finish, specifically in the air. Though I have been fortunate to score a lot of goals, I believe I am a team player and I’m always looking to get others involved.
SB: Let’s go back to your high school days, what schools recruited you and what made you choose Milwaukee?
Soccer Banter: The University of Wisconsin Milwaukee has tied the school record for wins with 18 and earlier in season had some big out of conference wins, what do you attribute to the teams success so far this season?
Sarah Hagen: Initially this season the underclassmen and specifically the freshman did a great job and were ready to play right from the start. We had 3-4 players that stepped in at the start of this season and their ability has been a major impact on our team. Now these players have more experience from those early season games and our success has continued to carry over into each game.
SB: You score a lot of goals, 91 goals in 84 games to be exact…for those that haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
SH: I am fairly tall and I’m very physical on the field. I am able to hold the ball pretty well up top, which helps our team in possession. I think one of my best attributes is my ability to finish, specifically in the air. Though I have been fortunate to score a lot of goals, I believe I am a team player and I’m always looking to get others involved.
SB: Let’s go back to your high school days, what schools recruited you and what made you choose Milwaukee?
SH: I was a pretty good high school player and I was familiar with the area as I played for FC Milwaukee. I was accustomed to the travel, which was 2 hours from my house and I really liked the area. UWM Head Coach, Michael Moynihan was my ODP coach as a sophomore and I was familiar with the girls a year older than me that were committing to UWM. I did not have many other schools looking at me, some D3 schools and 1-2 D1 schools, and thus I ended up committing fairly early to UWM. At the time I didn’t know how much of an impact at the college level, the coaches and I were recently looking back at my individual goals from my freshman year. The goal that stood out was to score 5 goals as a freshman, my coaches reminded me that I had to come up with a new goal after a few games.
SB: Since coming to Milwaukee, you have earned a lot of recognition, been involved with youth international teams with the United States. How has Milwaukee and college soccer in general helped in your development as a player?
SH: Coming in my freshman year, I didn’t have expectations or know what I was capable of. Mike and Dave developed me as a player and they continue to make me a better player. Going away this Fall with the U23’s gave me a lot more confidence and I now know what I am capable of. I no longer want to settle and want to make sure I always reach my potential in every practice and game.
SB: You recently missed your first collegiate game of your career to attend a US Soccer National Team camp in California. What your emotions like with being called into camp, but also knowing you were going to miss a game?
SH: It was really cool, and my teammates at UMW were very excited for me. Once I got to camp it was a little nerve wracking with Pia there. Prior to going I looked at the roster and I knew most of the girls, which gave me confidence. It was hard to miss a game and I was calling my mom during the game to get updates, but I knew the team would win.
SB: The US Camp was comprised of some of the best college soccer players in the country and a few professional players, how was that experience for you at this time in your development?
SB: Since coming to Milwaukee, you have earned a lot of recognition, been involved with youth international teams with the United States. How has Milwaukee and college soccer in general helped in your development as a player?
SH: Coming in my freshman year, I didn’t have expectations or know what I was capable of. Mike and Dave developed me as a player and they continue to make me a better player. Going away this Fall with the U23’s gave me a lot more confidence and I now know what I am capable of. I no longer want to settle and want to make sure I always reach my potential in every practice and game.
SB: You recently missed your first collegiate game of your career to attend a US Soccer National Team camp in California. What your emotions like with being called into camp, but also knowing you were going to miss a game?
SH: It was really cool, and my teammates at UMW were very excited for me. Once I got to camp it was a little nerve wracking with Pia there. Prior to going I looked at the roster and I knew most of the girls, which gave me confidence. It was hard to miss a game and I was calling my mom during the game to get updates, but I knew the team would win.
SB: The US Camp was comprised of some of the best college soccer players in the country and a few professional players, how was that experience for you at this time in your development?
SH: It was an unreal experience to have the opportunity to play with some of the best college players in the country and some top players from WPS. It was a tough camp with so many good players, it was hard to stand out. That being said, I was selected to be there and was confident that I was there for a reason. I was focused to make sure I didn’t let the hype of the full team coaches being there get to me.
SB: Four years at Milwaukee and fourregular season championships and four conference tournament titles, how important to you is to take that success one step further and get a win in the NCAA tournament?
SH: As a senior class we have had one thing on our mind since the start of this season and that is to get past the first round. As a group we have been focusing on this and making sure the younger players have the same mentality as us. My freshman year I felt we were content with just being in the NCAA tournament and each season since it’s been frustrating to lose in the first round match. I feel all the players put in so much work since last Fall and it has paid off for us. We are committed to winning the first round match this year and getting over the hump.
SB: With your senior season winding down, what are your thoughts for soccer after college?
SH: It’s been crazy to think that is the last time I travel to Cleveland State or play that team or play a regular season game. Not everyone has the opportunity to continue to play soccer after college and I really want to be able to whether that is in WPS or overseas.
SB: Four years at Milwaukee and fourregular season championships and four conference tournament titles, how important to you is to take that success one step further and get a win in the NCAA tournament?
SH: As a senior class we have had one thing on our mind since the start of this season and that is to get past the first round. As a group we have been focusing on this and making sure the younger players have the same mentality as us. My freshman year I felt we were content with just being in the NCAA tournament and each season since it’s been frustrating to lose in the first round match. I feel all the players put in so much work since last Fall and it has paid off for us. We are committed to winning the first round match this year and getting over the hump.
SB: With your senior season winding down, what are your thoughts for soccer after college?
SH: It’s been crazy to think that is the last time I travel to Cleveland State or play that team or play a regular season game. Not everyone has the opportunity to continue to play soccer after college and I really want to be able to whether that is in WPS or overseas.
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