Bronco Talk: One-on-one with Kristi Candau

By Josh Griffin

Junior forward Kristi Candau has been an integral part of the success of the women's soccer program at Santa Clara in each of her three years on the Mission campus. After leading the team in goals as a freshman, she leads the team with 13 goals this season, despite playing in a reserve role. As the team looks toward a third round showdown with the University of Nebraska this Saturday at Buck Shaw Stadium, Candau took a moment to talk with Sports Editor Josh Griffin about her role as captain, the wireless Internet and her professional soccer aspirations.

JG: What types of things do you do to fulfill your role as captain?

KC: Well, [senior midfielders] Devvyn Hawkins and Aly Wagner are the more vocal leaders and have big leadership roles on the field. I am more of a behind-the-scenes leader, since I am not a starter. I really just try to pump people up, and then when I'm on the field, be as good a leader as possible.

JG: How do you handle coming off the bench, especially considering how well you've played in your time at Santa Clara?

KC: It's definitely a maturity issue. In my first two years, it was not something I was okay with. I thought that since I was playing well that I should be starting. But I understand that this is my role this year to come off the bench, and I just try to bring intensity and fire to the field.

JG: What kind of things do you do to get prepared for a game?

KC: I usually just put a phone call into Germany to get some words of wisdom and listen to some solid rap music to get pumped up.

JG: Who's in Germany?

KC: That would be former Santa Clara basketball player David Emslie ('02). He's playing basketball over there.

JG: How's Dave playing?

KC: He's doing alright, but he's a little injured right now.

JG: What kind of predictions do you have for the remainder of the NCAA Tournament?

KC: I feel like over the past three years, I've seen a lot of different strengths on our team. My freshman year, we were a team built on a lot of heart. Last year, we were loaded with talent, and that obviously took us to the national championship. This year, I think we bring both of those together. I have had a lot of faith in this team all season and haven't been disappointed by them yet, so if we keep this up, I don't see any reason why we can't repeat what we did last year.

JG: What do you know about Nebraska, this week's opponent?

KC: I really don't know much. My roommate saw a tape of one of their games and said they looked good. I've seen them play in the past, and they've been mostly husky, bigger players. They have definitely played a more physical style in the past, so if they're anything like they've been in the past, that's what we'll expect.

JG: What do you like to do in your spare time?

KC: I'm kind of a dork. I like to surf the Internet, and we have wireless Internet at our house, so I can lie in bed and use that. I like to eat and take naps frequently.

JG: So there is some hope for me.

JG: Do you have any aspirations to play professional soccer after college?

KC: I have thought about doing it just to try it for a while, but I'm not trying to make a career out of it. I'm not going to be one of those people who has three kids and keeps playing professional soccer. I would like to do it just to do it, even if it's just for one year, and even if I don't play often. It's something to tell my grandkids about.

JG: Then I'll be able to tell my grandkids I interviewed you.