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Sept. 6, 2005

The Washington women's soccer team has played four tight contests, all of them decided by one goal or less. They are still seeking their first victory after a pair of losses and two ties.

The Huskies are gaining experience with a roster that underwent a great deal of turnover between this season and last. Ten of the 18 athletes who have played in a game this season are in their first year with the UW program.

UW travels to Oregon this weekend to compete in the Portland Invitational. The Huskies meet 25th-ranked West Virginia on Friday and No. 21 Wisconsin on Sunday.

Sophomore midfielder Dana Johnson (San Jose, Calif.) spent a few minutes with GoHuskies.com talking about the season so far.

GoHuskies.com: What are your thoughts on the season so far?

Dana Johnson: "It's been frustrating. We want to at least get a win four games into the season, but it is going okay."

GoHuskies.com: Every game has been close. Does the defense get credit for that?

DJ: "Our formation on defense changes all the time. With injuries and people getting sick, we haven't had the same lineup. We'll probably change like three times in a game. It is really a learning process right now, but we will get things sorted out."

GoHuskies.com: Would you comment on the difficulty the team has had scoring goals?

DJ: "It is the toughest part of the game. The amount of opportunities that you get in a game is very limited. You might get only four or five shots in a game, so you have to capitalize on those opportunities. Everything has to be on target, preferably a shot that scores. The more shots that you take, the more that will actually go in. We just need to work on getting our shots on frame."

GoHuskies.com: What was it like in preseason camp with such a large group of new players?

DJ: "It is always a tryout. You have to know everyone's names, but at the same time I am a returner. That doesn't mean that I have any kind of authority or that anything is set in stone. The whole thing is just a learning experience right from the start."

GoHuskies.com: You are only a sophomore, but on a team this young you are considered a veteran. Do you find yourself having to take on the leadership role?

DJ: "Yeah, but you are a forced to a little prematurely. Usually you don't really need to be a leader until you are a junior when you find yourself maturing a little bit. There are only around seven returners now, so that definitely forces you to step up, even as a sophomore."

GoHuskies.com: Is offense the more difficult part of the game to get together when there is a personnel change?

DJ: "I think it is difficult to deal with a personnel change on both sides of the ball. I think that it is just noticed more when you have trouble getting the ball in the back of the net versus getting a shutout. As an attacking player, I feel that a lot of people ask you why you can't score and why you can't put the ball in the back of the net, but it goes both ways. I just think that it is more recognized when an offense can't score."

GoHuskies.com: What do you think the mentality of the team is right now?

DJ: "There is definitely frustration, but we are also very hungry. We are going to Portland this weekend to play two teams that I know nothing about. We are hungry and we need that win."

GoHuskies.com: What was last year's experience like with that run through the tournament to the Elite Eight?

DJ: "It was amazing to be a part of and even watch it. I was injured, but we had an amazing group of girls. That senior class that graduated was just phenomenal. To be a part of that supporting the team was just indescribable. That was something that we definitely need to do again."

GoHuskies.com: What do you think about the athletes on this year's team?

DJ: "There is a lot of talent on this team. The team that we had last year had seven seniors that had played together since their freshman year. There was a good number of returners, but this year it is completely different. The number of newcomers outnumber the number of returners. We do have a lot of talent, but it is just a matter of learning each other's talents."

GoHuskies.com: What did you learn from your freshman year at UW?

DJ: "I learned to not put people on a pedestal. I am playing Division I soccer for a reason. I must be good enough to play at this level or else I wouldn't be here. But having fun is the most important thing. I am not getting so nervous anymore because I must be of the same caliber that they are. If you go out there and just have fun, the game will come along with it."

GoHuskies.com: What part of your game did you physically work on during the off-season?

DJ: "I had to get healthy coming back from surgery. I needed to take the time to nurture my injuries and make sure that I came back healthy and ready to play. The worst thing that I could have done is come back too early, so that was the most important thing to me. I just took my time and let everything come back to me, you don't forget how to play soccer."

GoHuskies.com: Have you thought about a major yet?

DJ: "Yes, I am going to be an English major because I want to teach. I might even want to write a book."