Recently we had a chance to speak with Sacred Heart soccer player Leslie Konsig. Konsig, the 2001 NEC Tournament MVP, led Sacred Heart to the NEC Title last year. The Pioneers, seeded fourth in the four-team NEC playoff field, defeated Quinnipiac and UMBC in their run to the NEC crown, before their NCAA Tournament hopes were shattered by Connecticut in the first round. Konsig came up big when it counted, earning NEC Most Valuable Player honors after recording 17 saves in tournament action. Looking to surpass last year’s standards, the junior netminder improved her 2002 shutout total to nine, a SHU single-season record. The Millburn, NJ native also set a new Pioneer all-time mark in the process with 22 career shutouts. On the year, she is 10-6-2 with a league leading 0.54 GAA, .870 save percentage and 67 saves. Currently the Pioneers are tied for third place in the league standings (10-6-2, 6-2-2 NEC), and are the #4 seed as they seek back-to-back titles in the NEC Tournament this weekend at Central Connecticut State University.

Name: Leslie Konsig
School: Sacred Heart
Sport: Women’s Soccer
Year: Junior

Hometown: Millburn, NJ
High school: Millburn
Major: Sports Management
Notable Award: 2001 NEC Tournament MVP, 2001 NEC First Team All-Conference

Favorite TV show: Real World and Road Rules
Favorite Music: I like a variety of music
Hobbies: Surfing, working out and playing basketball
Favorite Class/Professor: Business and Marketing taught by Prof. Maresco

NEC: Why did you choose to come to Sacred Heart?
LK: It has a beautiful campus and it is a good distance from my home. I was recruited to play softball, but the main reason I came here is because they allowed me to play softball and soccer.

NEC: What career do you wish to pursue after graduation?
LK: I hope to play soccer at the next level. After that I will pursue something in the sports industry.

NEC: Do you feel any additional pressure since you are returning NEC champs and Tournament MVP last year?
LK: I really don’t feel extra pressure. I think we are more confident from winning last year. We were the underdogs, so we came out of nowhere

NEC: How are you gearing up for the Championship this weekend?
LK: We are practicing and preparing our game plan. We are trying to get mentally and physically focused.

NEC: What will it take for SHU to beat CCSU in the first round and repeat as NEC Champs?
LK: CCSU is a good team and they can score. We need to put pressure on them and be more offensive minded. Basically, we need to be a bigger scoring threat.

NEC: What is your role on the team?
LK: I am the team captain and as captain I lead by example. People see me working hard and that drives them to do the same. I am not on scholarship, so my teammates know that I am serious and I love the sport.

NEC: How long have you been playing?
LK: I have been playing since the first grade. I have been a goalkeeper for about nine years.

NEC: How did you get started?
LK: I love sports. My older brother played soccer, so I picked up the sport

NEC: What is the toughest aspect of being a goalkeeper?
LK: The toughest part is keeping 100% mental focus.

NEC: What’s the best part about being a goalkeeper?
LK: The best part is the freedom to be able to move and use my hands. I feel like I have a huge role on the field, due to the fact that I can see everything.

NEC: Who are some people that have influenced you the most?
LK: My father and my coach have been major influences. They are very similar and they both keep me grounded. They push me to do well and make me a better person on and off the field.

NEC: What has playing soccer for SHU taught you?
LK: It has taught me leadership skills and the importance of taking on the role of a leader. It has taught me how to make the best of situations and to be a better person.

NEC: What is it like to be a two-sport athlete in college?
LK: It’s great. I don’t find it to be that hard. It doesn’t affect me academically and it actually keeps me focused. It teaches me time management and how to move on from a loss and pick it up the next day.

NEC: Describe how you felt when you were named 2001 NEC Tournament MVP?
LK: I was thrilled. I was still in shock from winning the game, so it was hard to celebrate. I was happy to be able to represent my team with that honor.

NEC: What is the most important attribute a soccer player needs?
LK: Confidence is important; you need to believe you are good at what you do.

NEC: What is the most memorable moment in your athletic career?
LK: My most memorable moment was scoring 1000 points in my junior season of playing high school basketball. My coach wasn’t going to be back for my senior season, so I had extra motivation. I wanted to do it for my coach because he always believed in me. 

- Interview conducted by Dawn Van Cleef, NEC Administrative Intern