Soccer | 10/21/2020 10:43:00 AM
Since joining the Maroon & Gold in 2018, junior forward/midfielder Megan Gray has appeared in all 42 games for the Gophers over the past two seasons. During that time, Gray totaled four goals, two assist and ten points while playing 1,814 minutes for Minnesota.Out of Gray's four career goals, none were more memorable than the very first of her collegiate career. On Aug. 24, 2018, the Ankeny, Iowa native netted the game winner against Ole Miss in the 109th minute of double-overtime. Two-plus months later, Gray again found the back of the net, powering the Gophers to their first-ever NCAA Tournament road victory as they topped Auburn, 2-0.
With her junior campaign on the horizon, Gray will look to create even more signature moments for the Gophers. To get a pulse on Gray's training and the current outlook of the team, Gopher Sports caught up with the versatile forward/defender.
GopherSports: What has been the pulse been like at fall practice?
MG: "One thing that has stood out to me specifically is the energy that we bring to every training session. There's players who can really pick up our energy and I think we're all excited to get the opportunity to play together, especially since we've had to hit the pause button for a long period of time when we had to go home in the spring. I can tell this might be the year that I have felt the closest with people, already. I think that is due to the fact that we got to do some team building activities together as a team before we had even really met the freshmen in person."
GS: Did you pick up any new hobbies during the extended time at home?
MG: "I've been cooking way more than I used to. I started doing Hello Fresh and I wouldn't say that I'm good at it, but I've definitely picked up a hobby with it."
GS: What originally drew you to Minnesota?
MG: "I was really drawn into how straightforward they were. I knew I was going to have to work to earn a spot and playing time my freshman year, and that's why I was so drawn into it. I wanted that challenge and I wanted to be pushed to the next level. I didn't want anything to be given to me. Obviously, just the team atmosphere, when I came on visits I felt really included in everything and I knew that I would have teammates that would push me to my goals both on and off the field."
GS: Walk us through your emotions surrounding your first collegiate goal.
MG: "It was probably the best scenario that I could have pictured for a first goal as a freshman. April Bockin was dominant in that game and she pretty much did all of the work. I was just there to rebound it off the post. My celebration was maybe a little bit dramatic but it was definitely fun in the moment. To be able to call that my first career goal was definitely very rewarding and to have my teammates run up to me and get to celebrate with them is something I still remember to this day."
GS: How are you working to help create more finishing opportunities for the Gophers?
MG: "Something I've been working on with our mental psychologist is just my confidence in general. I've been meeting with him several times, usually once per week, just to talk about my confidence and being able to have confidence in my attack with both finishing and creating opportunities for the team. That's something I'm really looking forward to being able to show: how much my confidence has grown these past sixth months and my willingness and grittiness to provide opportunities for our team to finish."
GS: How do you feel about the team's leadership heading into 2021?
MG: "I think the leadership we have on the team is excellent. It's a unique situation because we've never had three captains before. But I think that's something that can really help us and give us that edge. All three of our captains are different in their own ways… in the variety of their playing styles and their leadership styles. So far, they've been doing an amazing job and the same goes for our leadership team. They're definitely putting the best interests of the team first and it's exciting to have people who are so passionate and want to lead our team."
GS: If you had to be one teammate for a day, who would it be and why?
MG: "I would say Maddie Nielsen. Obviously, I'm not a goalkeeper, but I'd be super interested to see what their practices are like. They're burning 300-400 more calories than all of us field players each day. I don't know if I would technically want to be in her position, but it would definitely be interesting to see."
GS: What actor or actress would play you in a movie?
MG: "Reese Witherspoon. Just because of her sarcasm and dry sense of humor."
GS: What is the most interesting thing you have learned about head coach Stefanie Golan?
MG: "I feel like she wears a different pair of shoes every day. All of her shoes are literally the trendiest Nike shoes you'll ever see. Every day, all of us comment on them."
GS: What do the Gophers have to do to replicate the late-season success the team experienced in 2018?
MG: "All of us just need to be on the same page. Understanding that not every day is going to be perfect for everyone, but being willing to be vulnerable with each other and being willing to get feedback and learn from mistakes and just take one day at a time. I think that's the biggest thing for us."
GS: What is your favorite part about being a Gopher?
MG: "The people. Being away from home is hard, but the family atmosphere and the support you get from everyone from the coaches, to your teammates, to your academic advisors – you can tell they all really want the best for you. You have so much potential outside of soccer as well and I know they'll be lifelong peers for me even after I graduate from here."
GS: How do you think the Gophers will stack up against the Big Ten in 2020?
MG: "I think we have a really good chance of making a good run. Just based on what I've seen so far from our team, obviously we haven't been able to play in any actual games, but this is one of the most competitive teams I've ever been a part of and you can tell how passionate everyone is. Their drive to get better and willingness to take feedback and put that into play in future practices is really exciting to me."
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The Link LonkOctober 22, 2020 at 12:31AM
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