Fresno State Athletics
In the goal with Nicole Theroux
9/27/2018 10:58:00 AM | Women's Soccer
FRESNO, Calif. – As the Fresno State women's soccer team prepares to take on New Mexico at home on Friday, GoBulldogs.com caught up with senior goalkeeper Nicole Theroux.
This season, Theroux has totaled 27 saves, a .750 save percentage and a 1.45 goals against average.
She has played in 42 games and has 143 saves in her career with the Bulldogs. She had a breakout junior season in 2017, being one of two Bulldogs to start all 20 games. She finished the season with 70 saves, a save percentage of .814 and a goals against average of .830.
We asked her a variety of questions, from her favorite restaurant to something few people know about being a soccer player at Fresno State.
Q: How does it feel to be a senior?
Theroux: It's definitely bittersweet. It's exciting to be one of the oldest players on the team and to have a leadership spot. I like to make sure everyone around me is prepared, so I've had fun showing the freshman the ropes.
Q: Looking from the outside, what do fans not know about this team?
Theroux: Our team has great chemistry, and that's really rare with such a big team. We've had transfers say how much different our team dynamic is compared to their old teams, in the best way. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to show what they can do, and we support each other. Win or lose, we stay feeling fulfilled as a team because we know we are getting there.
Q: How did you become a goalkeeper?
Theroux: I think you have to be a little crazy to be a goalkeeper. My brother is a baseball catcher, so that's what attracted me to become a goalkeeper. Then on top of that I was always so much taller than everyone that coaches would put me in goal. I really enjoy the managing part of being the goalkeeper, you are watching and coaching the defense. There is the pressure of being a goalkeeper, but there is also the glory.
Q: What are the challenges of being a student-athlete?
Theroux: Playing a sport at this level is a full-time job. I think the biggest challenge is managing your time correctly, and knowing you are going to be tired. You have to put more effort into your classes. Overall, I think it pays off in the end. People look to hire student-athletes because of their work ethic. It's hard and it's a grind, but if you do it right it's going to pay off.
Q: Which game is most memorable to you?
Theroux: One game I always go back to is the first game I ever played for Fresno State which was against Stanford. I'm from San Mateo in the Bay Area, that's 20 minutes from Stanford. I faced 26 shots. I was so in the zone in that game and I left it all out there on the field.
Q: What lessons has soccer taught you that you can use off the field?
Theroux: It has taught me to stay humble. That is something I try to reinforce in myself, don't take anything for granted and keep working hard. You learn to fight for yourself, not only for your position, but for who you want to be as a person and a player. I think you also learn how to work with different people, adjust and not be static in your ways.
Q: What is your favorite thing about going to Fresno State?
Theroux: There is so much community support at Fresno State. In Fresno, it feels like a family because people here value their family time. I contrast it to the Bay Area because it's so face paced and family time isn't always a priority. Fresno State has so much to offer that you won't find anywhere else. I love our campus and the student-athlete community here is amazing.
Q: If you had to be attached to a teammate for 24 hours, who would it be?
Theroux: If I based it on personality, I'd say Olivia Muhrbeck. She's from Sweden and she has a different outlook on life. She's really chill and just goes with the flow. If I had to pick one of the new players, it'd be the sisters, Chloe Chedester and Sami Chedester. They awesome, outgoing and open minded people.
Q: What is a phrase that head coach Brian Zwaschka says that you'll always remember?
Theroux: It's always so hot during practice, especially during preseason. So something I will always remember him saying is, "I wish it was 10 degrees hotter." He uses the phrase even when we are watching film of other teams like, "I wish that player was 10x faster." It's a way to get us to humble ourselves and push ourselves, because it could be worse.
Quick Shots:
Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt: Frozen Yogurt
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Beach or Lake: Beach
Cardio or Weights: Weights
"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
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This season, Theroux has totaled 27 saves, a .750 save percentage and a 1.45 goals against average.
She has played in 42 games and has 143 saves in her career with the Bulldogs. She had a breakout junior season in 2017, being one of two Bulldogs to start all 20 games. She finished the season with 70 saves, a save percentage of .814 and a goals against average of .830.
We asked her a variety of questions, from her favorite restaurant to something few people know about being a soccer player at Fresno State.
Q: How does it feel to be a senior?
Theroux: It's definitely bittersweet. It's exciting to be one of the oldest players on the team and to have a leadership spot. I like to make sure everyone around me is prepared, so I've had fun showing the freshman the ropes.
Q: Looking from the outside, what do fans not know about this team?
Theroux: Our team has great chemistry, and that's really rare with such a big team. We've had transfers say how much different our team dynamic is compared to their old teams, in the best way. We believe that everyone deserves a chance to show what they can do, and we support each other. Win or lose, we stay feeling fulfilled as a team because we know we are getting there.
Q: How did you become a goalkeeper?
Theroux: I think you have to be a little crazy to be a goalkeeper. My brother is a baseball catcher, so that's what attracted me to become a goalkeeper. Then on top of that I was always so much taller than everyone that coaches would put me in goal. I really enjoy the managing part of being the goalkeeper, you are watching and coaching the defense. There is the pressure of being a goalkeeper, but there is also the glory.
Q: What are the challenges of being a student-athlete?
Theroux: Playing a sport at this level is a full-time job. I think the biggest challenge is managing your time correctly, and knowing you are going to be tired. You have to put more effort into your classes. Overall, I think it pays off in the end. People look to hire student-athletes because of their work ethic. It's hard and it's a grind, but if you do it right it's going to pay off.
Q: Which game is most memorable to you?
Theroux: One game I always go back to is the first game I ever played for Fresno State which was against Stanford. I'm from San Mateo in the Bay Area, that's 20 minutes from Stanford. I faced 26 shots. I was so in the zone in that game and I left it all out there on the field.
Q: What lessons has soccer taught you that you can use off the field?
Theroux: It has taught me to stay humble. That is something I try to reinforce in myself, don't take anything for granted and keep working hard. You learn to fight for yourself, not only for your position, but for who you want to be as a person and a player. I think you also learn how to work with different people, adjust and not be static in your ways.
Q: What is your favorite thing about going to Fresno State?
Theroux: There is so much community support at Fresno State. In Fresno, it feels like a family because people here value their family time. I contrast it to the Bay Area because it's so face paced and family time isn't always a priority. Fresno State has so much to offer that you won't find anywhere else. I love our campus and the student-athlete community here is amazing.
Q: If you had to be attached to a teammate for 24 hours, who would it be?
Theroux: If I based it on personality, I'd say Olivia Muhrbeck. She's from Sweden and she has a different outlook on life. She's really chill and just goes with the flow. If I had to pick one of the new players, it'd be the sisters, Chloe Chedester and Sami Chedester. They awesome, outgoing and open minded people.
Q: What is a phrase that head coach Brian Zwaschka says that you'll always remember?
Theroux: It's always so hot during practice, especially during preseason. So something I will always remember him saying is, "I wish it was 10 degrees hotter." He uses the phrase even when we are watching film of other teams like, "I wish that player was 10x faster." It's a way to get us to humble ourselves and push ourselves, because it could be worse.
Quick Shots:
Ice Cream or Frozen Yogurt: Frozen Yogurt
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Beach or Lake: Beach
Cardio or Weights: Weights
"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
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Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerMonday, August 04
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