Wolverine Athlete Spotlight: Christina Ordonez
9/26/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
• Preview: Michigan to Host In-State Foe MSU on Saturday Night
Junior Christina Ordonez talks about her transition to playing center back and the development of U-M's young back line, and also discusses the team's preparation for its matchup with rival Michigan State.
On the development of the back line ... "At the beginning of the year, it was all new for everyone on the back line. It was new for the team as a whole. Coming off a season where we had four really solid players on our back line, it was a bit daunting coming onto the back line this year. But I think we all knew what our job was. We've had such great leaders in the previous years back there to lead us by example and show us what we need to do this year to be a great back line as well. With the help of Dino (Dean Duerst) and Greg (Ryan), we're developing organizational skills, which was a big thing this year. We've also worked on staying in our shape and communication. Anna (Soccorsi) and I, as center backs, are trying to fit in that role and give guidance to Taylor (Timko) and other young players on the outside. We've really been focusing every practice and every game to make sure we're continuing to get better."
On her development as a player at Michigan ... "Coming in as a freshman, it's a big change from club play and it's kind of like a wake-up call -- you're not necessarily going to be playing every minute of every game. The coaches always say that the first spring really helps players develop and I think that's true. I think after my first spring, I got a lot stronger and I think most people would say the same thing. Also, it helped being able to play with people that are at the ability of the rest of the team and with the older players, who were such great leaders. We've had such great leaders in the past, especially last year, and now I'm an upperclassman. Coming back, and even having myself playing a new position, I've been trying to adapt to that position and take that leadership role and run with it instead of just filling the void that was left."
On the chemistry the back line has developed ... "I think we owe that to the type of kids that we have on this team. I love every single person on this team and we have such great chemistry on the field and off. I think it really starts off the field -- we're all best friends. This is a team of people that I consider my best friends and my family and I think anyone you'd ask on the team would say the same. That really helps because when it comes time to show up on the field, you're playing with people you're comfortable with off the field and people you can trust."
On how much success comes from preparation vs. instinct in a game ... "I think you can prepare a lot for any game and film helps a lot -- you get to know the other team and how they play, and you take mental notes. This year we've really been focusing on taking in what we learn in practice and through film, but when it comes time for games, don't be thinking about all those things to the point where they affect your game. We just go out there and play hard. I think a lot of success comes down to who is going to play harder."
On preparing to play Michigan State ... "Michigan State is obviously a huge game for us, but we're trying to take it one game at a time and we're not going to treat this game any differently than we would any other game. We're going to prepare the same -- we've been doing film on them, practicing hard and trying to adjust to their shape. When we come out on Saturday, we're going to come out pumped up -- we're playing Michigan State -- but we want to prepare the same and come out hard every game."
On the team defining itself throughout the season ... "I think coming into this season, we wanted our defining word for this team to be 'impact.' In the beginning of the season, I think a lot of people struggled with what that meant to them and how they could make an impact. After our California trip, that opened our eyes, and we knew we had to go out at work our hardest every game. After that, everyone thought to themselves 'how can I make an impact?'. I think there was a lot of individual growth, as well as team growth, at that point. Everyone now knows how they can impact this team, on or off the field, or whether you're starting or coming off the bench."
On competing in the Big Ten ... "The Big Ten is a very physical conference and every team is a tough team to face. Every team may not be as skilled, but everyone in the Big Ten works hard and you know it's going to be a fight every time we go out there. Our goal, especially this year, is taking it one game at a time. We're not looking ahead at what happens if we win so many games or what place we're going to get -- we want to focus one game at a time. That's helped us get prepared and have people be ready and excited for that specific game. We're not thinking about the future too much or what the next couple games could bring. We need to bring our energy and fight to every Big Ten game because they're all intense."
• Previous Spotlight: Ani Sarkisian
Contact: Whitney Dixon
