Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Kiel Maddox
In the goal with Marie Berwinkel-Kottmann
10/26/2018 11:57:00 AM | Women's Soccer
FRESNO, Calif. – As the Fresno State women's soccer team prepares to take on San Jose State at home on Senior Night Friday, Oct. 26, GoBulldogs.com caught up with senior goalkeeper Marie Berwinkel-Kottmann.
The Bielefeld, Germany native has competed in 42 games and recorded 108 saves during her career at Fresno State. Berwinkel-Kottmann is a two-time Mountain West All-Academic selection and earned MW Defensive Player of the Week honors during her sophomore season.
We asked her a variety of questions, from what it feels like to be a senior to what she thinks is the most challenging part of being a student-athlete at Fresno State.Â
Q: What does it feel like to be a senior?
Berwinkel-Kottmann: It comes with a lot more responsibility. You are one of the oldest players on the team so your teammates look up to you, and you have to lead by example. Sometimes it's a weird feeling, because the time went by really fast. I remember freshman year so clearly and now I'm about to play in my Senior Night game.
Q: What is your relationship like with your senior class?
Berwinkel-Kottmann: We have a really close relationship. We've been together for almost four years now. We all lived together our freshman year and we've been stuck together ever since. It was great to have Olivia Muhrbeck in my class because she is another international student-athlete, so we went through the transition together.
Q: How would you describe this team?
Berwinkel-Kottmann:Â We have awesome team chemistry. We always hear from our transfers how great our team chemistry is. It was especially beneficial for me when I came from Germany and I was welcomed into this team by all the girls. It made me feel like I was home, and that all these girls would become my friends. We have a lot of players who are far away from home, we want everyone to feel welcome! I believe this makes our team special.Â
Q: What is the hardest part about being a student-athlete?
Berwinkel-Kottmann: The hardest part is the time commitment that comes with being a student-athlete. It's not just the practice time you have to worry about, we have treatment and pregame requirements, plus traveling. You learn how to manage your time as you go, and you learn how to have open communication with your professors. It's a grind, but we make the best of it.Â
Q: What skills has soccer taught you that you can use off the field?
Berwinkel-Kottmann: I've learned how to be a leader on and off the field. I can even see it in my classes now, when there is a group project I feel comfortable taking the lead. Soccer has helped me become a more vocal leader. I have also learned to make the best out of everything and live in the moment. You have to enjoy your time with your teammates, because time goes by fast.
Q: If you had to be attached to a teammate for 24 hours, who would it be?
Berwinkel-Kottmann: I would pick Racine Babb. We lived together our freshman year and we still get a long really well. We like to go on coffee runs together and we always have a good time!
Q: What is a phrase that head coach Brian Zwaschka says that you'll always remember?
Berwinkel-Kottmann: When we are watching film, Brian stands in the front and our assistant coach Sean Steele is running the computer. When Brian wants Sean to rewind the film a little bit he says "go back just a hair", every time. So we've started counting how many times he says "go back just a hair" during film sessions. That's a funny memory that I'll always have.
Quick Shots:Â
Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt:Â Ice Cream
Chocolate or Vanilla:Â Chocolate
Beach or Lake:Â Lake
Cardio or Weights:Â WeightsÂ
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" - The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160
Â
The Bielefeld, Germany native has competed in 42 games and recorded 108 saves during her career at Fresno State. Berwinkel-Kottmann is a two-time Mountain West All-Academic selection and earned MW Defensive Player of the Week honors during her sophomore season.
We asked her a variety of questions, from what it feels like to be a senior to what she thinks is the most challenging part of being a student-athlete at Fresno State.Â
Q: What does it feel like to be a senior?
Berwinkel-Kottmann: It comes with a lot more responsibility. You are one of the oldest players on the team so your teammates look up to you, and you have to lead by example. Sometimes it's a weird feeling, because the time went by really fast. I remember freshman year so clearly and now I'm about to play in my Senior Night game.
Q: What is your relationship like with your senior class?
Berwinkel-Kottmann: We have a really close relationship. We've been together for almost four years now. We all lived together our freshman year and we've been stuck together ever since. It was great to have Olivia Muhrbeck in my class because she is another international student-athlete, so we went through the transition together.
Q: How would you describe this team?
Berwinkel-Kottmann:Â We have awesome team chemistry. We always hear from our transfers how great our team chemistry is. It was especially beneficial for me when I came from Germany and I was welcomed into this team by all the girls. It made me feel like I was home, and that all these girls would become my friends. We have a lot of players who are far away from home, we want everyone to feel welcome! I believe this makes our team special.Â
Q: What is the hardest part about being a student-athlete?
Berwinkel-Kottmann: The hardest part is the time commitment that comes with being a student-athlete. It's not just the practice time you have to worry about, we have treatment and pregame requirements, plus traveling. You learn how to manage your time as you go, and you learn how to have open communication with your professors. It's a grind, but we make the best of it.Â
Q: What skills has soccer taught you that you can use off the field?
Berwinkel-Kottmann: I've learned how to be a leader on and off the field. I can even see it in my classes now, when there is a group project I feel comfortable taking the lead. Soccer has helped me become a more vocal leader. I have also learned to make the best out of everything and live in the moment. You have to enjoy your time with your teammates, because time goes by fast.
Q: If you had to be attached to a teammate for 24 hours, who would it be?
Berwinkel-Kottmann: I would pick Racine Babb. We lived together our freshman year and we still get a long really well. We like to go on coffee runs together and we always have a good time!
Q: What is a phrase that head coach Brian Zwaschka says that you'll always remember?
Berwinkel-Kottmann: When we are watching film, Brian stands in the front and our assistant coach Sean Steele is running the computer. When Brian wants Sean to rewind the film a little bit he says "go back just a hair", every time. So we've started counting how many times he says "go back just a hair" during film sessions. That's a funny memory that I'll always have.
Quick Shots:Â
Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt:Â Ice Cream
Chocolate or Vanilla:Â Chocolate
Beach or Lake:Â Lake
Cardio or Weights:Â WeightsÂ
"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" - The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160
Â
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
D
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