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Campbell Talks About her U-20 National Team Training
2/17/2010 9:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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DURHAM, N.C.- Duke University freshman goalkeeper Tara Campbell sat down with GoDuke.com to talk about training with the U-20 National Team in December, her freshman year and her excitement about the 2010 Blue Devils. Campbell, who is from Cincinnati, Ohio, started 19 matches in goal for Duke, while totaling a 1.08 goals-against average, six shutouts and an 81.7 save percentage in 2009.
GoDuke.com: How was your training with the U-20 National Team back in December?
Tara Campbell: It was good. It was really interesting and a new experience. I didn't really know anyone. The only downfall was that I was taking time off to recuperate from my ankle injury, so I was pretty much way out of shape, but other than that it was good.
What kind of things did you do there?
TC: It was like our preseason at Duke -- we had two-a-days. I did work with the goalkeeper coach and two other goalkeepers and then with the team. We did a couple different breaking up into groups and things like that. We did spark testing the first day.
GD: What kinds of things did you learn from your experience?
TC: They did an evaluation, so I got some things to work on. I was just really excited to be there, and they said that I did well enough to be invited back, so I'm excited that I have another opportunity to go in, well, hopefully I get the call to go in an show them something else when I'm in shape this time.
GD: Would you like to keep competing with the team if you were invited?
TC: Well, they're competing now at qualifiers, and then the World Cup is this summer. So, they'll have camps every month and then once it gets to June and July they will have camps every other week.
GD: Looking back at your freshman season, what things come to mind?
TC: Well, I'm a perfectionist so honestly the things that come to mind are mistakes that I made. It was an exciting first year. I'm glad I got the opportunity to come in and play as a freshman. I'm a little disappointed with how we did as a team, but I'm excited looking forward having nine freshman coming in next year. I think we could have a really good season next year. I'm glad I got the experience, and now we're ready to do bigger and better things next year.
GD: Being thrown into the fire as a freshman and starting 19 games. How did you think you progressed?
TC: At first, I was a little nervous. It was hard, especially being a goalkeeper where you have to be communicating and organizing, it's hard when you don't know exactly how everyone plays and their style. So, it got easier to communicate in that sense as the season went on. Then, toward the very end, it was just physically exhausting, but at the same time you know everyone better so it's easier to mesh and get in there and try to control the game.
GD: What kinds of things are you working on in the spring?
TC: So far, I'm trying to increase my vertical because it's basically non-existent at this point. And working on strength building -- my hamstrings, quickness off the line, and will hopefully work on distribution. The technical things that you can't really work on during the fall.
GD: How excited are you to play in 2010 with the team returning and the recruits coming in?
TC: I think it's going to be totally different going from a season where you barely have enough players to play a game and only have three subs on the bench because so many people are injured to all our injured players being back and adding nine when we're only losing four. It's a big change, and I'm so excited because I've heard some great things about our incoming class. I'm really looking forward to that. I think it will only make us better to make the competition be even harder to get field time between the field players and we even have another goalkeeper coming in.
GD: How is everyone's attitude so far this spring? Is everyone working hard and excited?
TC: Our attitude has been great. We had a meeting with Dr. Dale and had some team chemistry stuff worked out. Everyone's working really hard. I'm really excited because I was hoping that was how it was going to be when we came in. It's a lot easier to push yourself when everyone around you is pushing themselves.
GD: What do you like most about playing for Head Coach Robbie Church?
TC: I love Robbie. He's really good at communicating with girls. I think you have to look at everyone differently. Some girls can take criticism, some girls can't. He's very inspiring in the way that he talks. He doesn't lie and dumb down his expectations. He tells you what he expects from you and he sticks to it. He always knows what your potential is, and he always emphasizes for everyone to strive for that potential.
GD: What has goalkeeper coach Michael Crane been working with you most on since you arrived at Duke?
TC: Mostly we've worked on footwork, which is very important. It's something that when you get lazy as a goalkeeper, you stop doing it. It would be easier to just dive then too move your feet, but in the long run that's great because if you can move your feet and then dive then you increase your distance that you can cover. We're going to continue to work on distribution. Mostly footwork and we've done a lot of crosses, which I think is a big difference between club and high school compared to college level.
GD: Do you plan on playing club soccer this summer? What are your plans this summer?
TC: Mike wants me to do a couple Soccer Plus camps. So, I'll be doing that. I'll be training with my club team. We lost in the national final last year, so we're hoping to make regionals again and go back and redeem ourselves.
GD: What kinds of things do you like to do away from soccer?
TC: I like watching TV and sleeping. American Idol is on right now so currently I'm watching that. We go to "Lo-yo" all the time. I don't know if I should be admitting that, but it's called "Local Yogurt."
GD: Are you on the women's basketball intramural team?
TC: I did not sign up for this. I was looking out for my best interests. I don't think Robbie would be too happy with me if I re-injured myself playing intramural basketball. However, I've heard great things about them. I'm going to hopefully get out to watch some of those games.
Players Mentioned
GK
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