Kelli Stewart
Sophomore | UW | Soccer
Hometown: Mukilteo (Kamiak High)
What she did: Scored her team-high fourth goal, and added an assist, in the Huskies’ 3-1 over Gonzaga on Friday.
What’s next: The Huskies, who are unbeaten over their past six games, open Pac-10 play against WSU tonight.
The two-minute drill
You guys are currently on a six-game unbeaten streak, which includes five wins. Do you think that soccer fever might begin migrating from Qwest Field to Montlake?
I sure hope so. It looks like it is. We are actually getting a lot of fans – about 1,000 a game. It’s mostly younger kids — girls soccer teams — but it’s great.
You have started six of the Huskies’ 11 games this season, yet three of your team-best four goals have been scored when coming off the bench. Are you trying to lose your starting job?
It looks that way. It probably wasn’t the greatest plan. I’m glad I got back starting, though. I’ll take (the goals) however I can get them.
In Friday’s win over Gonzaga, you had both a goal and an assist. Which do you like better?
I like the assists. For some reason, I’ve always gotten more assists than goals in my career. But that one (last Friday) actually hurt a lot. I got nailed. I got hit hard. I ended up on the ground and didn’t actually see the goal.
You didn’t go Brandi Chastain after your goal, did you?
No. I’m kind of a quiet celebrator. I let everyone else do it for me. I’d like to say that I would do something like that, but I know I wouldn’t. That’s not me.
Your mother played soccer at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. Did she have a tough transition from soccer player to soccer mom?
More like soccer coach. She’s been my coach every year from when I was 5 until I got here (to UW).
What was that like?
I loved it. We have a great relationship.
Your team played nine games before classes even started at UW. How was life different when classes began last week?
I’m actually relieved. I was bored before. Now we go to classes, go to practice, study, sleep, then do it all over again.
UW starts school so late. Was there anyone your age still in Mukilteo by the time you went off to school?
No, definitely not. We’re the last ones left. It’s painful, actually. It sounds great, but it’s not. I couldn’t wait to go back to school.
You’re an architecture major at UW. What do you like about it?
I grew up around it. My step-dad built houses. I’m taking my first course in it this quarter, and I’m really excited. I actually helped my family out in building houses, and I love it. So I’m excited.
So are the Huskies “building” something when it comes to their soccer program?
For sure, we’re getting better. We were ranked 25th at the beginning of the year, but in the new rankings we’re up to 14th.
The Sounders had 32,000 at their last home game. Can we expect the same, or maybe half that total, for the Pac-10 opener against WSU (tonight)?
That would be awesome.
— Scott M. Johnson, Herald Writer
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