Upcoming Event: Women's Soccer at Miami on September 14, 2025 at 1 p.m.
/
1 p.m.
Women's Soccer
at Miami
Question & Answer With Carolyn Riggs
11/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nov. 16, 2004
Junior Carolyn Riggs has come alive at the end of the 2004 season scoring six goals over the last seven contests and has nine tallies on the season. She posted two goals against top-ranked UNC in the ACC Tournament and posted a goal against second-ranked Virginia on Sunday. A forward from Indianapolis, Ind., Riggs now ranks tied for sixth on Duke's all-time points list with 66 and her 26 career goals is fifth.
GoDuke.com: So has the team settled down any from the big win on Sunday against second-ranked Virginia in Charlottesville?
Carolyn Riggs: I don't know if we have settled down as much as it has evolved from shock to now looking forward. As much as it felt like a huge victory, it was only the second round. Regardless of rankings, each game we are playing now could be the last of our season.
GoDuke.com: What did Duke do to take Virginia out of their game?
Carolyn Riggs: We went into halftime tied, 0-0, and decided that it wasn't going to be our last game of the season. We were going to play our game. They had beaten us earlier in the season, but it was the same team that we beat last year. It was just a mental decision that we were going to come off the field with a win.
GoDuke.com: Who was the first person you called after the game to tell them about the victory?
Carolyn Riggs: I was lucky enough to have my parents there, but the fact that the game stats had shut off; I had a lot of messages on my cell phone of people wanting to know what happened. I called my brother and he was really excited and I also called my sister.
GoDuke.com: Now that you are in the Sweet 16 and going to travel to Los Angeles to play UCLA, what does the team have to do to keep the run going?
Carolyn Riggs: Our motto this season has been, "Have a chip on your shoulder." We have had the feeling that we have been underrated all season and have something to prove each time we step on the field this season. UCLA beat us last season and we would like to get some revenge on them. We just don't want to have our season end yet.
GoDuke.com: Have you ever been to LA?
Carolyn Riggs: I have never been out to LA, but I have been out to California a few times.
GoDuke.com: Over the last seven games you have scored six goals, what have you started doing different or has the ball just come your way a little more?
Carolyn Riggs: Casey, obviously, has had a great season. Once we started playing great competition that knows our team and knows how to match up against us, you have to have more than one person step up. There have been people all over the field that have stepped up this season for us. The combination of knowing that my teammates are all stepping up and I have to kind of carry that same burden; more than anything I have tried to put all the nervousness out of my head and deciding that I am going to score.
GoDuke.com: It seems like the team gets along really well and the chemistry is clicking right now, what is so special about this team?
Carolyn Riggs: When my class was a freshman, the team was very young. Then, the next class was very large. There is a big grouping of sophomores and juniors and we have bonded well. The core of us has really gotten to know each other as both people and soccer players. We work well on the field and appreciate each other. The freshmen and seniors still play a big role, of course, also, but overall the team has come together well.
GoDuke.com: How much fun has it been to play of front this year with Casey McCluskey and Sarah McCabe as between the three of you ya'll have scored 34 goals this season?
Carolyn Riggs: I think that it has been a really great time. Last year we played the 4-5-1 and it was difficult sometimes being a forward as we were really not familiar with the system. With the forwards up top this year we have been successful, as each of us has had our goals. I think the whole formation from the backs to the mids, we are working really well right now and we have a good rhythm on the field. It is so much fun to play.
GoDuke.com: How much does assistant coach Carla Overbeck help the team with her presence on the staff? She has so much soccer experience and is know all around with world from playing on the Olympic and World Cup teams?
Carolyn Riggs: Growing up I have always known the name Carla Overbeck. Warming up for a game or halftime, when she is out there cheering for us, telling us when we are playing well and telling us what we need to do and we are better than that. Having someone like that with a credible view of soccer and that is respected all around the world is nice to have with us. Both as a coach and part of our team, it is great to have her behind us and cheering us on. It kind of gives us a little extra spark in games.
GoDuke.com: Do you have any idea what you want to major in or do after graduation?
Carolyn Riggs: I am majoring in history, but after soccer I am not sure. Every year I have a new play for what I am going to do after I graduate. Whether it is more school, coaching or taking some time to reorganize myself, I really don't know. Right now I am concentrating on soccer and school and I will see what happens after that.
GoDuke.com: If the WUSA started back again would that be something you would be interested in? Carolyn Riggs: That is always a consideration. I am a junior and I only have one more year left, which is a hard thing to think about. The opportunity to keep playing soccer is something I would always keep open.
GoDuke.com: What are your hobbies other than soccer?
Carolyn Riggs: I enjoy hanging out with the team. You would think we spend enough time when we are on the field and traveling but we still spend a lot of time together away from the field. I also of course go to class, sleep and love to shop. We started another tradition that we have to go shopping the day before we travel.
GoDuke.com: If you could play another sport at Duke other than soccer, what would it be?
Carolyn Riggs: I think I would probably play golf, because they are very good and they always travel to some very nice places. It is a completely different type of competition. The only problem is I don't play golf at all. I did run track in high school.
Favorites:Type of soccer shoe: Adidas Predator Food: Anything the soccer coaches pay for TV Show: Sex & The City and Will & Grace CD: Any mix we play in the van before a game Movie: Boondock Saints Professional team: Indianapolis Colts Place at Duke: The Murray weight room Class at Duke: History of American Sports with Al Buehler Web Site: Thefacebook.com
Players Mentioned
Kieran Hall Postgame Vs. Virginia
Friday, September 12
Kieran Hall Postgame Vs. Alabama
Sunday, September 07
Kat Rader Postgame Vs. VMI
Thursday, September 04
Kieran Hall Postgame Vs. VMI
Thursday, September 04
