The Lobo 5 with UNM defender Emily Chavez
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — We’ve hit week two of our weekly Q&A with a returning University of New Mexico women’s soccer player as we get closer to the Lobos’ season opener Aug. 18 at home against San Francisco.
This week we catch up with defender and New Mexico native Emily Chavez. The La Cueva graduate has led the Lobos in minutes played in each of the last three seasons (over 5,000 combined minutes) and has started 56 consecutive games heading into her senior season.
Let’s catch up with Emily:
You enter this season having started 56 consecutive games for the Lobos and you led the team in minutes in each of the last three seasons. What is the key to being able to be on the field so much and not miss time?
Soccer has been one of the most important parts of my life for as long as I can remember. It may sound simple, but it’s what I do. I hold down the fort. Don’t be fooled, my body was not always happy during every one of those 56 games. The cool thing about soccer though is that it’s a team sport. I look to my right and see my teammate who is just as tired (probably more because she’s playing outside back) and am reminded that am not doing this for myself. I push myself hard for those around me. I do think one key aspect is my support system. So many people believe in me and what I can do. I hold onto that when it gets tough. I also take a lot of naps and eat of A LOT of carbs.
What is your go-to show right now on Netflix (or Hulu) and why?
My go to show on Netflix is definitely Grey’s Anatomy. I haven’t had cable for the past year so I wasn’t able to watch the 13th season as it aired live, but the new episodes just got put on Netflix! I am actually planning on going to PA school after I graduate so I get super into the medical cases (even knowing they are dramatized). There is a also a lot of romance and emotional stories going on throughout the show. If I’m being honest, I usually cry at least once every episode.
What is the best piece of advice you can give a freshman starting their first year with the Lobo program?
The best piece of advice I could give a freshman going into their first season … don’t wish away time. It’s so great and exciting to look forward to the future, but take advantage of the present. College goes by in a blink of an eye! Sometimes the present may seem tough, but find the good. So then you can look back and say, “I made the best out of that situation.”
I would also say not to take yourself too seriously! Laugh at yourself and the mistakes you make. We’re only human.
If you didn’t play soccer, what sport do you feel like you could’ve excelled at and why?
If I didn’t play soccer, I think I could have been a decent long jumper. I actually did long jump my senior year of high school for fun and ended up getting 4th at state! I got some hops I guess!
What is your most memorable moment as a Lobo thus far?
My most memorable moment thus far as a Lobo was celebrating my first goal. It was our home opener my redshirt freshman year and my very first collegiate game. About 15 minutes in we got free kick and I went in. I was so nervous. I remember hoping the ball didn’t come to me because I didn’t want to mess up. So what happens? The ball was played right in front of the goal which was right in front of me … instincts kicked in and I just bent over and tapped it in with my big ole’ noggin. I watched as the keeper dove, but the ball was already at the net. I scored the first goal of the game during our home opener! Oh man I could hardly breath. I just threw my hands up and started running to my teammates. Everyone sprinted up to me and were hugging me and yelling. I ran back to the center back stomping grounds and all of my classmates were yelling and pointing at me. Everyone was so excited for me. I was so happy I couldn’t stop smiling. It was the coolest feeling.