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Women's Soccer Senior Spotlight; Jessi Gulledge
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Forward Jessi Gulledge will graduate this season and will be honored on Senior Night against Davidson. Recently she spoke to UNCGSpartans.com about her experience as a Spartan.
Staying close to home, what made you choose UNCG to play soccer? Being from Greensboro, I never thought I would stay here. I came to look at UNCG when I thought about playing here and I fell in love with the campus and the team. The girls were awesome and the stadium and facilities were as well. It ended up being a great decision; I absolutely love being close to home now.
You were a multi-sport athlete in high school what made you choose soccer over track and volleyball? Track and volleyball were more of time fillers for me in high school. I ran track to stay in shape for soccer, but soccer was always number one. I loved volleyball but I started playing in middle school and I had been playing soccer since I was four. It was never really a question between what sport I would continue to play, soccer was always the plan.
You have been on the Dean's list since enrolling at UNCG, how do you balance school work and soccer? Being on a team actually helps me to manage my time better. I know I don't have a lot of time to get work done so I do it when I actually do have time. You just have to accept that there is about a three month period where things will be pretty busy, but it is an extremely satisfying feeling to manage everything.
Being a forward, what do you feel is the key to be successful at that position? To be a forward you have to either be able to run or be able to hold people off. Figure out what you are good at and try to play to your strengths. Different things work for different people and having something special is what makes a good forward.
What has been your favorite college soccer memory since being a part of the team? My favorite soccer memory was beating Wake my sophomore year. Jenn Partenheimer hit a free kick from just outside of a box and flicked it up to herself and half volleyed into the upper 90's. It was an insane goal and our team went crazy. It was such a great feeling as a team to beat a good team on their own field.
What advice would you give to aspiring women's college soccer players? I would tell them to be proactive. Contact coaches early and go to summer camps at schools you want to attend. Don't be nervous to ask questions and get to know some of the girls before you come in.
If you could start your college career over again what would you change and why? I wouldn't change anything. I have had a great experience with some amazing girls. I have learned so much over the last four years about myself and my team.
What are your career aspirations after college? I want to work for a bank, preferably business banking or wealth management. It would be awesome to work on Wall Street for a few years, but realistically I want to work in a bank in a city around here.
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