Nov. 5, 2003

Cullowhee, N.C. - One more farewell, one more bus ride, one final Southern Conference Tournament. Catamount soccer seniors Lauren Bramlett, Kristen Deon, Jordan Howell, Tina Weaver and Felicia Wilson leave Cullowhee on Wednesday to embark on their quest to capture a SoCon title for the last time. First, they must face a 13-4-2, 10-0-1 Furman team who comes into the tournament as the number one seed and the favorite to repeat their championship run. However, the Cats think they are ready to step up to the challenge. Led by five feisty seniors, Western hopes their season will not end Thursday afternoon in Greensboro.

Western Carolina Media Relations caught up with the fab five and had a few questions for them as they prepared for their championship run.

Media Relations: What do you think unified you as a team this year?
Lauren Bramlett: Because we are such a young team and we knew we needed to come together on the field, it just carried over off the field. Everyone's personalities gelled together and have led to great friendships on the team.

Kristen Deon: I think having a smaller senior class didn't divide the team up as much this year. All five of us seniors have played important leadership roles on the team, but everyone has been treated equal and with the same amount of respect no matter what age the are.

Jordan Howell: I think from day one of preseason, everyone was confident, excited and ready to take some sort of leadership for the season. I felt everyone treated each other the same, meaning we didn't separate the classes or put blame on anyone. We treated everyone the same and listened to everyone's ideas and opinions.

Tina Weaver: This year we have a great mixture of people, with each individual bringing their own individual aspect and talent to the team. With this combination, we have proved ourselves to be a unit of one on and off the field.

Felicia Wilson: We had meetings as a team where the coaches weren't involved, which unified us. The team also had certain "rituals" before each home game. Another thing that was good for us was that during the preseason, we went on a rafting trip together.

MR: What are your thoughts heading into the SoCon tournament this week?
Bramlett: We need to redeem ourselves and show the SoCon that we are here to win. We have come a long way from the beginning of the season and we're picking it up (our play) when we need it the most.

Deon: I feel like each player on the team has shown tremendous heart and positivity throughout the whole process of getting into the tournament. We aren't going into it as if we are in eighth place because we have overcome so much this season that advancing far into the tournament is something we strongly think we can do.

Howell: I feel very confident going into the SoCon tournament. We are all very excited to be there and I feel we are probably the most excited team, which should work to our advantage. Also, we are excited to play Furman again. They are a good team, but we have made a lot of strides since the last time we played them. I know this second go-round will be a tight match.

Weaver: The SoCon tournament is an entirely different season. It is truly anyone's game. Our season is peaking right now. We are a totally different team than we were at the beginning of the season. We plan to take it to Furman and everyone else along the line.

Wilson: I am very excited that we got into the tournament. I know we are coming off a loss, but I know everyone on the team is ready for the task ahead of us, and I am very confident with my teammates.

MR: How does it feel to be the last senior class to play on Schrader Field (with the new complex under construction)?
Bramlett: It has been an honor to play on this field. I have had some great memories here and will always remember them. It's kind of sad to know there will never be another game on Schrader Field, but also awesome that the years to come will see a new field to play on and will continue to win.

Deon: In a way it is very sad because we have had lots of memories on the field and have created many traditions out there. Also, it will be a little weird when I come back to see the team play because I won't ever know what it's like to play on a different (home) field.

Howell: Honestly, it feels very sad. A lot of memories, friendships and bonds were built on that field along with tears and laughter. Those are the things that I will remember forever. At the same time, I feel honored to be the last senior class to play on Schrader Field because they do save the best for last!

Weaver: I feel honored to have played on this field. We started and ended (our careers) on this field and I feel that we held nothing back. I think we kept the ongoing tradition that the '99 players left behind.

Wilson: I have mixed feelings. It's awesome that there's going to be a new facility, but it's been an honor to play on the first women's soccer field (in WCU history). There have been many memories that I will never forget.

MR: What advice do you have for the underclassmen?
Bramlett: Have fun while you can. Be young and enjoy every moment because it will be over before you know it. Have no regrets!

Deon: Enjoy every practice, every game as well as the time you have with each other because each season goes by faster and faster. Even enjoy running and fitness tests (maybe that's taking it too far!). You won't ever have the chance to do anything like this again.

Howell: Love soccer and have fun playing it, because before you blink, it will all be over. Enjoy every last minute of it, even the mile runs and sprints! Keep building the friendships that will last a lifetime. Keep your eye on being SoCon champs and no matter what, play with heart and keep working hard.

Weaver: My advice to the underclassmen is to hold nothing back; to play every game as if it were your last and to always be fearless.

Wilson: Give everything you've got. These four years go by fast. After each game, you should feel like you've done everything possible to help the team.

MR: What are your plans after graduation?
Bramlett: Well, I'm not exactly sure right now, but I have a few ideas in mind: 1) Go to grad school (don't know where yet) and get my master's in Exercise Science, or 2) Hopefully find a job within my major of Exercise Science and start making some money!

Deon: I have a few ideas after graduation: 1) Find a job within my Marketing degree, 2) Go to beauty school and one day open up Salon Deon, or 3) Open a boutique with my older sister Kyla.

Howell: "Maybe" going to grad school to get my master's, then going into teaching (Elementary Physical Education). I would also like to coach high school soccer.

Weaver: After graduation I would love to have a chance at a graduate assistant position for soccer or basketball and to eventually be a head coach at the Division I level.

Wilson: I plan to go to grad school.

MR (to Bramlett): You've had ACL surgery. Has that changed your style of play over the years?
Bramlett: Before tearing my second ACL, I think I used to be faster, but overall I don't think it has changed the way I play.

MR: What do you feel you've left behind as your mark on the program?
Bramlett: I feel like I've helped contribute to the success of the program and the 2001 Southern Conference Championship.

MR (to Deon): What was it like playing soccer with you sister Kyla and how was it playing without her this year for the first time since before high school?
Deon: I have to say that I actually enjoyed playing with my sister. We definitely had our moments of fighting with one another, but now I just look back and laugh. Also, not many people get to say that they got to play a college sport with one of their siblings. So it was pretty neat. Not having her on the team this season, I think I have been treated as more of an individual, not just "Kyla's sister", which has helped in building my confidence.

MR: How do you stay focused when you are on the field?
Deon: I put all my worries behind me and try not to think about anything but the game and that 90 minutes. I'm so used to just having my mind set on focusing on the game that it is hard for me to recognize what I do to get in that mindset.

MR (to Howell): How does it feel to be a fixture in the WCU record books?
Howell: Even though my name may be in the record book, I feel that these records truly reflect the strides and accomplishments our program has made over the years. This is a great showing of how successful this Catamount program is and it will only get better as the years go on.

MR: You've torn your ACL in both knees. How did you get through that?
Howell: I'm not going to lie; it was a tough road to go down twice in such a short span. I could have given up very easily, but my teammates, coaches and trainers kept encouraging me to keep up the hard work. It was more of a mental battle than a physical one and I kept telling myself to work hard and take one day at a time because everything would work itself out like it always does.

MR (to Weaver): How did you feel when you found out you were going to be the starting goalkeeper this year?
Weaver: When I found out I was going to be the starting goal keeper this season, I felt challenged. I felt that I had trained hard for this position and was ready to prove to myself and to everyone else what this team means to me and how hard I would work for them.

MR: You have a lot of school spirit and you always try to keep the team motivated when they are behind. How and who did you learn this from?
Weaver: Throughout my life, my mother has been my building block within our household as well as my inspiration to never give up. She has taught me passion for the ones I care about - my team and my family.

MR (to Wilson): You have played several positions in your soccer career. Which was your favorite?
Wilson: My favorite has been outside midfield because I have had more opportunities at scoring and have actually scored more from that position over my career. Also, at outside midfield, you can dribble a lot more.

MR: What has gotten you through the second half of your senior season knowing that you have a torn ACL?
Wilson: My teammates and family. I was given the choice of playing or going in for surgery, but I knew the team needed me. Maybe they didn't need me as a player right away, but as someone to help them see different plays or transitions from a different perspective.