WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University women's soccer team is gearing up for the 2018 season, with its first game scheduled for August 17 at Georgia. The back-to-back BIG EAST defending champions' Head Coach Dave Nolan sat down for some questions as the Hoyas prepare the upcoming season.
 
GUHoyas: After losing such a significant senior class from last season, what are your current seniors' contributions to the team this year from a leadership perspective?
Nolan: Last year's senior group certainly did a great job leading by example and driving our team forward. But this year's group has had a chance to see some things that helped provide success in the past and can add these to their own personality and ideas. This year's class is quieter but every bit as ambitious and focused. This is their time to make their mark and I know they are excited for the opportunity.
 
GUHoyas: What are the key benefits to a student-athlete being a member of the Georgetown women's soccer program?
Nolan: I firmly believe that being a member of any athletics team is a wonderful life-learning experience where young people learn a lot about themselves and what they are capable of. There are triumphs and disappointments, differing people that you have to learn how to deal with and circumstances that force you to accept things that you can't control. It helps prepare you for life which is something that can't be underestimated.
 
With all that being said, being a soccer player here at Georgetown provides our student-athletes the privilege of competing against some of the best teams and players in the country. They also get to play with some great players and along the way form friendships for life and have a lot of fun while doing so.
 
GUHoyas: What impact do you think your assistant coaches Lyndse and Kristen have on the team?
Nolan: Both Kristen and Lyndse have a very bright future in the game. They are ambitious, passionate and work very hard every day to make our program better and to give our athletes the best experience possible. The team respects and likes them, which isn't always the case, and together with our training staff and Alex, our volunteer coach, I feel our staff does a great job creating a positive atmosphere that allows for success.
 
GUHoyas: What do you believe to be the major factor toward the amount of success the program has had over the past few years?
Nolan: That's pretty simple, great players who do their best both on and off the field to be as good as they can be. The sacrifices and hard work required to compete at the top level while managing the academic challenge at a top academic institution isn't easy and it speaks volumes for our players with the success we have had. I do think the culture we have created here allows the players to lead themselves and that's always better. 
 
GUHoyas: Are there any big changes for the 2018 season?
Nolan: Not really, we have a pretty consistent approach to business here.  The most important thing is to be flexible both on and off the field.
 
GUHoyas: You're the BIG EAST defending champions, so you know that the other conference teams are out to get you this year. How do you approach that situation?
Nolan: We don't worry about that. We just focus on excellence and trying to reach it every day and never fret about things we cannot control. If we can be the best version of ourselves then we feel good things can happen.
 
GUHoyas: What do you like most about this year's team?
Nolan: With successful teams the biggest worry can often be complacency. However in college athletics, players are always moving on with graduation and new players coming. We have a strong core of players coming back but we also have some very good players who have had to be very patient waiting for their opportunity. Their hunger will help fuel our team forward and I am excited to see them show how good they are and also look forward to working with our new players.