Emily Mason previews the 2024 season ahead for Rutgers women's soccer - #rutgers

Intro [Music] welcome back to the Scarlet faithful podcast I'm Aaron Brightman as always this episode is brought to you by Knights of the rtin the Ruckers nil Collective click on the link in this episode description to become a member free newsletter to find out more about Ruckers Athletics all the activities that have going on and how to become a member to support Ruckers student athletes with nil like today's special guest Ruckers women soccer star Emily Mason Emily thanks so much for being here thank you so much for having me so Recovery process to start just wanted to ask uh had another uh strong year last year uh your Junior season coming off of that season ending injury the year before wanted to ask again about that recovery process how you were able to go about in terms of regaining your form your confidence and what that whole process I guess taught you about yourself and your game so my season ending injury was my ACL and during that process I've really learned the importance of like patience and making sure I used the support around me because I would not have mentally been able to get through that process without all my teammates my coaches my friends and my family so I can really thank them for how strong I came back because they definitely motivated me and just kept reminding me that the end of that whole process there was something waiting for me to earn back and I feel like without them there I wouldn't have been as successful coming back that's great and I feel like Key to success the programs always had a very strong support system and and how to incorporate your family life as well you made an immediate impact as a freshman went to the final four College cup you've progressed obviously last year uh great season you've been the anchor of the defense the last couple years what's been the key to your development and your success on the field in your Rucker career definitely my freshman year coming in as an outside back and then switching to Center back I definitely had moments where I wasn't really sure what I was like supposed to do in that position and having people in the upper class role models to me like Gabby Pro I looked up to her and she taught me a lot about how to play center back the correct way how to view the game in a different point of view and I think working with her and my teammates beside me really helped and we're the backline is very known for being a very talkative group on the field so I think one thing that really helps us on the field is that like we're always talking we're always helping each other and we definitely take what others are saying as a learning moment talking Senior class about your freshman year now going to be a senior uh strong senior class obviously uh long-term relationship with Riley tan you play with her prior to Ruckers a little bit uh G Gman Cassidy Banks uh Kylie dley what's what's it been like to go through the whole process with them and and how I guess excited are you as a group now to go into this senior year together so our whole group which is Gia Kylie Riley Cass Cammy we're all extremely close so having these four years together living together doing everything together and just like making memories has just been amazing um I don't think I've had a closer group of friends in my class and it's just like the best thing ever like experiencing all of this from the final four from the ups and downs like it's just we're all here for each other and we're all wanting the best for each other and it's just an amazing environment and obviously you're from Family atmosphere New Jersey a lot of them are as well uh Central Jersey by the way uh good representation there and uh but I guess in this world you know you're I mean you were a high school player of the year coming to ruter you've been involved with a national team what was it about Ruckers that has kept you all together and kept you here in the era of the transfer portal in nil when a lot of players leave in in all sports in college athletics today I think the biggest thing is just like family atmosphere everyone is so close everyone relies on each other I would have no problem like now it's just preseason I would have no problem going to one of the Freshman if I have a problem it's just we're all basically a big group of sisters it's like the best thing you're your time at ruter obviously Megan Olivia Bodmer mcleland one of the best Keepers in in program history following Casey Murphy uh but now uh last year you uh welcomed The Freshman Olivia bodmer uh who had an all big 10 freshman campaign uh what was your role in terms of helping her along the anchor of the defense with her behind you and and what does she bring to this team and how have you seen her develop now going into her second year I would say like the ways that I would just I've helped her was coming in as a freshman and especially like not playing then your first few games it's stressful it's a very different environment from like high school and Club it's quicker it's stronger and overall like a different level of skill talking to her the whole point of college is like a learning experience everyone every game every practice it's just a chance for you to get better so I think you want to come into college at your very best but that's not possible because you just need to get better every day so I think just constantly reminding her and honestly she's filling like the shoes of Casey Murphy Meg mlen perfectly she's extremely hardworking she does amazing saves that I don't even understand how they're humanly possible but she's definitely doing an amazing job at her position going back to Casey Murphy the Womens National Team Women's National Team uh before the Olympics trained at urac uh obviously Murphy on that team Denise ready a former ruer star now coach with that team you have a lot of of national experience like I said you know you won the gold with the cona you played for the u20 World Cup team uh what was that process like for you just in terms of being around those Olympians how did it benefit the team how inspiring was it for you as you continue in your career with the national program for me personally it was kind of like a surreal moment because there's a handful of those girls that I've played with before like growing up and the national team and stuff so really cool see once I was playing with them and now they're there my dream is to be there one day and play with them again and I also think for a lot of people on our team their dream is to play on that team so like seeing them train and seeing how the atmosphere is is just something that motivates us more into wanting to be there yeah that must have Sydney Urban been a great experience and uh ruter having those ties to the National program is is great for everyone going back to this year's team you welcome uh several transfers but one in particular Sydney Urban she uh from Florida and Maryland you've played with her previously prior to Rucker clubs team what what was it like knowing her and having her part of the program now uh what's your relationship like and and how much of an impact do you think she will make this season oh I'm so happy s here she's one of my best friends we started playing together when she was in eighth grade and I was in seventh grade at PDA and since then we've just been extremely close always stayed in touch even going completely opposite schools her in Florida I'm still in Jersey um but have having her here it's just like she's going to make a huge impact on the field and off the field she's a very good person and has a huge heart so she's always here for everybody and then on the field she has this type of composure with herself and stressful situations she can keep her cool she can just calmly move the ball back and forth she's strong on the ball and it's just kind of everything we need as a midfielder for Ruckers we went through the senior class obviously very strong group are there any younger players newcomers uh that you expect to make an impact and how is that how's the whole training camp or preseason gone and offseason gone in terms of uh incorporating all the new personalities and and talents to the team our freshman class is extremely talented they're extremely fit they're technical their mindset on the field is very good and they see the game extremely well I think they're going to have a huge impact on the field during like the games and stuff they're just a very talented group in terms of head Coach ONeal coach Mike O'Neal obviously been with Ruckers a long time tremendous success uh 12 straight NCA tournament appearances of course the last couple years didn't end exactly the way all of you wanted it to what's his been his message been to you as a senior leader your senior class and the team overall uh this offseason training camp just leading up to the new season kicking off um I would say his message is just kind of to enjoy it we're also talented it's just like the little details that we just need to focus on and also working together and communicating on on and off the field a huge thing having a really good close bond with the whole team off the field really shows positively on the field so we've definitely been doing a lot more stuff of hanging out as a team just soccer tennis like just random things that are just making more memories like during Captain's preseason and preseason we were just together all the time that's great last question for Team goals you just in terms of your team goals for this season your senior year uh and getting back to making a Deep Run the conference tournament inate tournament all your goals that you do have Coach O'Neal's always been very uh bold in terms of talking about championships is the goal for this program what is this new team need to do to be able to make a Deep Run uh in November and accomplish some of those goals just keeping a positive attitude they not everything's going to go our way but if we work together and we work hard and put everything we have out out on the fields then we'll get what we deserve a win Emily Mason Ruckers women soccer star B for your senior season best of luck to you and your teammates to share Ruckers fans are certainly rooting for you and really appreciate your time today thank you so much for having me all right and thank you for listening once again to The Scholar faithful podcast [Music] [Music]