Q&A: Senior Forward Kirsten Fausko

Playing in her final season with the Eagles, senior captain Kirsten Fausko is ready to go out with a bang.

After enduring an unexpected illness last season, senior Kirsten Fausko of the Eastern Washington University women's soccer team is ready to fully embrace and enjoy her final year with the Eagles.

Fausko and the entire Eagle squad will be in action this Saturday (Sept. 10) when they host Gonzaga at 1 p.m. at the EWU Sports and Recreation Center Soccer Field in Cheney, Wash.

In 2010, Fausko was delivered disappointing news when she was told she would have to sit out the first seven games of the season, as she recovered from a bout with mono. When asked what got her through this time of trial, she responded by saying she knew staying fit was important, but the main factor was the motivation from family, friends, and mostly teammates.

After recovering from her sickness, Fausko started five of the last 10 games of the 2010 campaign and averaged just under 48 minutes per game. She scored one goal for EWU during the season on a strong push to the box against Big Sky regular-season champion Northern Arizona.

Now, in a year that is believed to be a rebuilding year for Eastern Washington women's soccer, Fausko is determined to end her career doing what she knows best - using her good work ethic to leave a lasting impression on the soccer program at EWU.

Q: While sitting out for the first seven games of 2010, what kept you motivated?
A: "I knew it was going to be hard not to play for a month and a half, I think I had to focus on myself and getting fit. My teammates helped me a lot by keeping me encouraged, along with the support of my coaches and my family. Then knowing that I had one more year to push through and to make it the best of my life."

Q: What has been the best part of attending EWU?
A: "Being a part of a team has made it a lot of fun, you meet a lot more people. Playing soccer has been the best part of being at EWU."

Q: What teammate would you say is most like a twin?
A: "Melanie Kitsman. We have been friends ever since our freshman year and kind of just clicked. We had a lot of the same classes throughout the years and we hang out outside of soccer too because we have a lot in common."

Q: Which team do you feel is your favorite to beat?
A: "Weber [State], definitely. All the games against Big Sky teams are fierce, but beating them [Weber State] always feels the best."

Q: If a senior in high school asked what she needed to prepare for coming into college, what advice would you give her?
A: "I would say get involved with something on campus. Be outgoing and have a lot of fun because it goes by really fast."

Q: If you had to change sports, what would you play?
A: "Basketball, I was always torn between soccer and basketball in high school."

Q: Is there anything that makes you nervous?
A: "Interviews, but also soccer or playing in front of family and friends still make me nervous. The tests during finals week as well!"

Q: If you could trade lives with a musical artist who would it be and why?
A: "John Mayer. He is a cool person, but he gets a bad rep. I love his music!"

Q: What is your dream job?
A: "Pediatric occupational therapist. I want to work with kids with special needs because I don't see it as work. I can't wait to get more into that."

Q: What subject in school do you dislike the most?
A: "Math, I hated math. All through high school and college, I didn't really like math. I tried to get away from it as much as possible."