DETROIT (10/20/2020) -- Senior women's soccer student-athlete
Rachel Russo has had to deal with quite a few things during her time at Detroit Mercy, overcoming injuries, a coaching change and now trying to play her senior season during a pandemic.
She has played in 43 games with 35 starts in the red, white and blue and as a freshman, she tied for second on the team with four goals and ranked third with eight points. She became the first Titan freshman to net a hat trick since 1999 and just the third rookie in school history to accomplish that feat when she scored three goals against Fort Wayne, now known as Purdue Fort Wayne, and a new HL rival.
With the absence of the fall sports season in the Horizon League, DetroitTitans.com caught up with Russo:
What Is The Feeling In Practice Right Now?
RR: We are following the rules as a team. It is hard to practice without having that contact day in and day out and just to practice without knowing what is going to happen. We are just focusing on how we are going to play together. Our fitness is going to be all on our own and with the long break coming up and then coming back and playing games, it is going to show who really wants to play.
Is It Hard Not Knowing The Future Of Playing?
RR: It is hard. It is hard to have that motivation in practice at times. I know there are some days where it is kind of like, what is the point of this because we are not playing, but I would say, for the most part, we are practicing as hard as we can and we are getting ready for a season.
How Hard Is This for The Freshman Class?
RR: It is very important to get everyone together, including the freshman. It is a different experience for them than it was for me. It is good that a lot of our freshmen are from the same clubs so they know each other, but we all need to be together and know how we are playing. Our coach is very big on team bonding and chemistry and understanding each other on and off the field and how we play so that is something we are working on.
You Have Dealt With Some Injuries In Your Time Here, How Hard Has It Been To Overcome Those?
RR: I tore my ACL my freshman year, my meniscus too, all that fun stuff. Luckily, it was towards the end of the season so I was able to not miss a lot of time. My mentality is that I want to get back and I want to play and start. That was my focus was just on getting back and I had surgery after the season and started my rehab right away. I then tore my meniscus my sophomore year, but I played through that. I just wanted to play. It is important to me to set an example to others that yes I might be hurt, but it is not the end of someone's career and you have to work hard to get back.
What Did You Learn From Last Season?
RR: We just need to learn to be better honestly. There was a coaching change and things changed and we knew it was going to be an adjustment, but we need to be better and listen to each other more on the field and learn to play together as a team. It was hard because we were all learning a new system quick. Our coach wants us to play one formation and we needed to accept it and communicate better and just play together. I think it will be much better this year.
What Are You Looking To Do After College?
RR: I am an elementary education major with a focus in English and a minor in leadership. I really want to teach second grade. When I was in high school, we did a student-teaching project and I got to spend the whole year with second grade. I spent all that time with them and I just got attached to that age group. Eventually, I want to go back to school and get my masters so I can become a principal. That is my goal.
Could You See Yourself Being A Soccer Coach?
RR: It is definitely something I would look into doing. I love the game and I know the game and I can see myself being a coach. I like sharing my thoughts and knowledge and I love leading. I want someone to look up at me and someone that people can come up to and ask 'what they are doing' and 'what they can do better.'
What Are Your Favorite Memories At Detroit Mercy?
RR: My favorite memories are all with the team. It is just amazing to see the relationships that have been forced here. These are the relationships I am going to have for the rest of my life. All these teammates became family and that is important to me.
What Are Some Of Your Hobbies Outside Of Soccer?
RR: I am not even sure what I do. I have a job. I mean pretty much my life is school, work, soccer and Netflix. I am watching 'How To Get Away With Murder' right now, I love that show. That is pretty much my life.
Why Did You Choose To Come To Detroit Mercy?
RR: I am close to my family and just being 45 minutes from my house and being able to see my family when I want to was big. The scholarship and what the school had to offer just made it an easy decision over other colleges that I was looking at.
