Q&A: Senior soccer player Nikki Edwards reminisces

Nikki Edwards is a senior defender on the Southeast Missouri State University women's soccer team. Edwards has started every match of her career. She is majoring in business management. Edwards gave insight on her time at Southeast.

Q:How would you describe your sports career at Southeast?

A: I would describe my sports career here at SEMO as being a lot of fun. I think one of the most rewarding things about it is how far we have come. We didn't do very well my freshman year coming in, so it's kind of nice coming into my senior year having such a good season this year. It has been a lot of fun, though.

Q:What is your favorite memory on the field?

A: My favorite memory on the field would probably be last year when we played UT Martin. We had to tie the game to clinch second place in the conference and if we did that we would have gotten a bye in the tournament. So I just remember going into overtime -- we were all really pumped up and coach gave a very inspiring speech to us. We ended up coming out [of] the game with a tie so we finished the season in second place, and it was a really exciting game.

Q:What would you say was your most difficult game?

A: The hardest game I played in my career here was in my junior year. We played University of South Florida. They were a really good team, and I know they ended up going to the NCAA tournament that year and doing really well in it. They had a lot of really talented players, and it was really cool to play a team like that, but it was extremely tiresome.

Q:How has the program developed since your freshman year?

A: The program has developed a lot since my freshman year. When I came in we didn't have a successful year. We had a lot of young players, and I kind of looked at it as a development year. So, when I compare then to now, we are in first place and we have a really good chance of clinching the OVC title and going to the tournament. So it's very rewarding when I think of how far we've come, and I'm proud of all the girls that have been through it all and have gotten where we are.

Q:What will you miss the most about playing soccer in college?

A: I will miss absolutely everything about playing college soccer. I will miss, for sure the most, how competitive it is. And I love being in season. I mean you eat, live, sleep soccer and everything is just soccer and I love it, so I will definitely miss it.

Q:What kind of relationship do you have with your coach?

A: We have a really good relationship with our coach; both our coach [Heather Nelson] and [assistant coach] Paul [Nelson]. One of my favorite things about them is they are so dedicated. They really do a good job of taking care of us and one of the main reasons I came to SEMO is because when I came on my tour I really liked Coach Paul, and that hasn't changed.

Q:What are you planning to do after you graduate?

A: When I graduate, I am going to go back home to Canada and I would like to continue playing soccer, but I need to start working and kind of getting my life on track, so I'll be looking for a job and getting into the real world.

Q:What does it feel like starting every game of your career?

A: It means a lot to have started every game here at SEMO. I obviously wanted to go to school and play. I'm here to play soccer so where I wanted to be was on the field, so it does mean a lot that I got to start every game.

Q:If you could go back would you change anything?

A: If I could go back I wouldn't change anything here. I've really enjoyed my experience here at Southeast and, no, I really wouldn't change anything. It has been a rewarding experience, and I am going to be really sad to leave.

Q:Do you have any last words to leave with your team?

A: I would just say to all the girls how proud I am of them, of how hard they work day in and day out and it's been so much fun playing with them. To coach and Paul, I thank you for making my experience really fun and enjoyable. Also, I'm excited to win the OVC because we are going to.