2008 Woodie Awards
During the storm that arises on the field her coach says defensive centerback Jen Vilkoski is the calm
Kyle Shaner
"As the season wore on you could see her getting stronger and stronger and we decided to make that change," Salmon said, "and it's been one that has been an absolutely tremendous attribute for our program in the sense that she's a player that won't leave the field for us."
While it took a while for Vilkoski to feel comfortable with her position on the Ball State soccer team, she said she now feels comfortable that she has her spot secured.
Vilkoski's calmness through tough situations and her ability to compete under pressure against great players has earned her a nickname from Salmon: The Eye of the Hurricane.
"One of the things I love about Jen is, in a center back position you need this, a type of leadership; it's an unspoken leadership," Salmon said. "And when she gets on a ball she just has this calmness that it basically infects the entire team, and it allows players to remain calm when they're under pressure. It's one of those rare traits, but it is a special one."
Vilkoski said being naturally calm allows her control her emotions.
"When I'm on the field I'm like in my own world," she said. "I don't know what's going on. I just play my game, and I don't really pay attention to other things."
Salmon said Vilkoski is definitely in her own world on and off the field.
"One of the things I love about Jen is she's just a unique soul," Salmon said. "She comes in, she works extremely hard at practice every single day, she absorbs information very well."
While Vilkoski said she is usually in her own world on the field, there are moments when the outside world gets to her.
A group of Ball State men's volleyball players attend most of the soccer games to cheer for the Cardinals. They also yell at the players throughout the game, and the player that gets the most attention from them is Vilkoski.
"It's like when we're over here [off the field], and the game's stopped and they'll say stuff, and I hear it then," Vilkoski said. "When I'm actually playing and I'm involved in the game I don't even here it."
While it took a while for Vilkoski to feel comfortable with her position on the Ball State soccer team, she said she now feels comfortable that she has her spot secured.
Vilkoski's calmness through tough situations and her ability to compete under pressure against great players has earned her a nickname from Salmon: The Eye of the Hurricane.
"One of the things I love about Jen is, in a center back position you need this, a type of leadership; it's an unspoken leadership," Salmon said. "And when she gets on a ball she just has this calmness that it basically infects the entire team, and it allows players to remain calm when they're under pressure. It's one of those rare traits, but it is a special one."
Vilkoski said being naturally calm allows her control her emotions.
"When I'm on the field I'm like in my own world," she said. "I don't know what's going on. I just play my game, and I don't really pay attention to other things."
Salmon said Vilkoski is definitely in her own world on and off the field.
"One of the things I love about Jen is she's just a unique soul," Salmon said. "She comes in, she works extremely hard at practice every single day, she absorbs information very well."
While Vilkoski said she is usually in her own world on the field, there are moments when the outside world gets to her.
A group of Ball State men's volleyball players attend most of the soccer games to cheer for the Cardinals. They also yell at the players throughout the game, and the player that gets the most attention from them is Vilkoski.
"It's like when we're over here [off the field], and the game's stopped and they'll say stuff, and I hear it then," Vilkoski said. "When I'm actually playing and I'm involved in the game I don't even here it."
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Scott
posted 10/25/07 @ 9:53 AM EST
Seriously, who writes these headlines?
JDL
posted 10/25/07 @ 5:46 PM EST
What the hell does that mean (the headline)?
Can someone please fix that?...it is seriously embarassing...
At the very least get the cliche right. (Continued…)
Levin T. Black
posted 10/26/07 @ 1:47 AM EST
That is her nickname given to her by her coach. And the eye of the hurricane is not the calm before the storm it is the calm while a storm is going on everywhere else. (Continued…)
Post a Comment