Marquette University Athletics
Q&A: Shannon Cusick
7/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
July 9, 2008
A local Southeastern, Wis. product from Whitefish Bay, soccer senior Shannon Cusick has been a staple in MU's stifling backline for the last two seasons. While starting every game in her career at Marquette, Cusick was recognized as BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week and to the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week during the 2007 campaign. During her sophomore and junior years, she combined with her defensive line and goalkeeper Laura Boyer to allow 34 goals in 43 games, for a 24-10-9 record the past two seasons.
The team had an especially strong defense last season, allowing 17 goals in 20 games and posting 12 shutouts. What makes the squad's defense so tough?
I think it had a lot to do with [goalkeeper] Laura Boyer just because she was a senior, she was a leader in the back, and she was our eyes and our ears. She was able to give information to each one of us and because she was so vocal and such a good leader in the back had a lot to do with it.
How do you think the team will do without Laura Boyer next season?
I think it's going to be a difficult transition, obviously, just because she had been with us for so long and we were used to playing with her, but I'm really looking forward to playing with the two new goalies just because they both offer different thinks. [Sophomore Natalie] Kulla's very vocal like Boyer was and she's getting really comfortable with the people in the back and I'm excited to see Chelsey [Turner] step in, coming from Minnesota, and just see what she can do with us. She was a lot of fun to play with in the spring too.
You were recognized as a BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week and to the Soccer Buzz Elite Team of the Week last season. What does getting that type of recognition feel like?
It was exciting. I didn't know it, somebody had to tell me - I think it was my parents. But it was really exciting to be recognized but I also like to stay humble about it. I don't like being the center of attention so when I did get that, I didn't really say anything to a lot of people because I didn't think that it was necessary. I get really uncomfortable with that kind of stuff [laughs]. I mean, it was nice to be recognized obviously, but I just kind of took it for what it was and moved on. I didn't really think anything of it.
One of your teammates [Julia Egasti] talked about how you keep the team calm and keep your composure on the field. Is this a demeanor you've always had on the field and during games?
A lot of my coaches over the years have told me that I'm very calm and composed in the back, which is something that I think as a defender you definitely need because the vibe that last defender has is pretty much the vibe that the other defenders will feed off of. That's a huge compliment, coming from Julia, and I think that it's something you have to work on continuously because it's so easy to get out of your element during a game, especially during the tough times.
What was it about Marquette that helped you decide to transfer here?
Initially when I decided to transfer, Marquette was actually my only choice. I realized I just wanted to be closer to home. I figured [Marquette] was close enough to home but far enough away and I just had heard so many great things about the team atmosphere that reminded me of my club atmosphere, so I think that, more than anything made the decision so much easier and on top of that, the academics was comparable to Northwestern and I had friends here that would make the adjustment easier.
What makes Marquette soccer special?
It's the family atmosphere that we stress. I know it's kind of beaten like a dead horse, but it really is like a family. We treat each other like sisters. We get in little fights every now and then but we always come together at the end of things because we're all working for a common goal. Just like in a family you might fight or have your differences, but at the end of the day those are people who matter the most to you. That's what Marquette soccer is about and that's why I think it's special.
After you transferred [from Northwestern], you were able to make an immediate impact, starting all 23 games at center back. What was it like to come in and right away be part of the team and such a big factor in the team's success?
That year was definitely like my transition year. I was extremely nervous just to be accepted by all the girls. I didn't know what my position was going to be, to begin with, and I had no intention of starting right away. If I had sat the bench that entire year I would have been happy just because I knew I was in a better place. Starting right away was a lot of fun because I got to know the girls a lot better. I've seen gradually and the coaches have told me that I've really grown up over the past three years. That first year was definitely my quietest year on the field and through each year I've become more vocal. I felt a lot like I was a beginner my first season here. I felt like a freshman.
In high school and club soccer, were you a defender, or was that a position college coaches slotted you in?
I would love, love, love to be a center mid. I played it in high school but unfortunately I don't think I have the speed to be a center mid at the collegiate level. I was an outside mid until I was about 12 or 13 I think, and then I got switched to center back. So ever since I was about 13, I've been a center back with every team that I played for.
As sweeper, how do you deal with the pressure of being the last defense before the goalie?
It's so different from offense. You know, they score goals and get all the glory. People on the outside looking in would think that when you lose it's the defense's fault because there was a breakdown. But it's just as an exhilarating feeling to have a great tackle or be there as that recovery run. It's just as exhilarating as scoring a goal for defense. It may sound corny, but when you have a really good tackle, get up and have the ball it's such a great feeling to know that you beat that person.
You and Laura Boyer worked as a tremendous tandem for the last two seasons. With her graduating, you'll be playing with a new keeper. How will you keep a good working relationship with whoever we will be seeing time in net next season?
I definitely think that to have a good working relationship with somebody, especially a goalie. You need to have communication on, but off the field as well. The strength of that relationship off the field plays a big role in that relationship on the field. As far as I'm concerned, I think that I have a really good relationship with both of the keepers right now. They know and I know that if they see something or if I see something that needs to be fixed or worked on, we're willing to take criticism from each other because that's the way you learn the best. It doesn't matter that they're younger than me, because if they're seeing something that I'm not seeing, I definitely want to make the adjustments that need to be made.
At 5-3, you're usually one of the shorter players on the field. How does this factor influence your game style, especially against forwards that are bigger and taller?
For me, something that I've always tried to work on since I've been smaller is my positioning and being aware of the decisions that I'm going to have to make based on the players I'm playing against. I think that over the years, I've become more comfortable with being able to have the right positioning in order to maybe not be able to beat the player every time, but be able to knock them off the ball.
You have a schedule that includes games against 10 opponents that made the NCAA tournament last year, obviously a challenging schedule. How do you mentally prepare yourself for high levels of competition like these?
I don't really have a way of mentally preparing, I just go out there and do it. It's all fun and games for me up until that whistle blows and then for 90 minutes, I'm completely serious and there's no joking going on. I don't think I have something that I do before every game or during practice or anything. I want to obviously work on the things I need to work on during practices, but before games, I try to relax and have fun with the rest of the team.
Seven of those ten games are at home this season. How enjoyable is it to play in front of a home crowd?
For me, those are my favorite games, especially Friday night games under the lights. I just love the atmosphere that is created by the students and coaches. Even from the minute our warm-up tape starts, you can just feel the energy from everyone.
Being somewhat local from Whitefish Bay, do a lot of your friends and family come out to see you play?
I'd say more family than friends. My family comes to every home game. My sister is gone in Colorado, she's a freshman this year at Boulder, but when she's home, she comes. So most of the time, it's just my parents.
Do you have any goals, both individually and teamwise, for the upcoming season?
I really want to make it to the [NCAA] Tournament this year. I think that would just be icing on the cake as a senior to see how well we could do. I'm very interested to see what the younger players have to bring this year. I'm really excited to see them come back because they did grow and develop so much this past spring. Individually, I just want to go out on top, have the best season and just spend a lot of time with my teammates before it's all over.
Why do you wear a ribbon in your hair during games?
I lived in Texas when I was younger, and my best friend and I would wear a ribbon every game. We had a red one for our red uniforms and a white one for our white uniforms, so when I started playing soccer, I was thought, 'Well I'll just bring the ribbon back again.' It's something that sets me apart from everyone else and so many people have told me that because I'm small, they have this perception of me that's like 'she's small, she has a ribbon in, she's dainty on the field.' Then I'll hit somebody hard and they're like, 'What just happened?' It's a childhood thing.
With a double major in elementary education and communication studies, what are your career goals after graduation?
My roommate and I want to move to Texas and teach together down there. I want to teach at the elementary school I went to. I think that would be fun and because I want to get away from the cold winters. I had a lot of fun in Texas growing up, so I think it'd be fun to go back there and teach first graders.
