By: Anton Alstrom
On July 11, 2018, Write on Sports interviewed two players on the Notre Dame Women’s Soccer team. Sammi Fisher, a California native, started playing soccer around the age of five and is a tae kwon do black belt. Kate O’Connor, also from California, started playing soccer around the same age, and she also played tennis before quitting to focus on soccer. Growing up, they played on separate teams in the same league. Since Fisher is a midfielder and O’Connor is a defender, two clashing positions, “we hated each other,” O’Connor claims.
So, how did they both end up at Notre Dame, studying business? They have no idea. Both Fisher and O’Connor came for the academics, the sports, and the snow. They say it is really hard to manage their time, but setting a schedule helps. “Giving up talent is a lot harder then giving up love,” O’Connor chuckles when asked about her talent, surprised at her quote creating skill. Fisher’s soccer goal is to win championships, while O’Connor is focused on working her hardest.
When asked what advice they would give inspiring players, O’Connor stated what is important, “Being a good person, then a good player.” Fisher, however, gets straight to the sports aspect by quoting her coach, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Teamwork seems to be important because the former rivals are now great friends.