When it's game time for the women's soccer team, no one is more dependable than defensive player Heather Havron, one of four returning seniors.
"Heather is the most energetic and positive girl I've ever met," said Amy Berbary, assistant coach to the women's soccer team. "She can make your day better just by looking at her. She's very motivating."
Lydia Townsend, returning senior and forward for the Tigers, said Havron is a charismatic person and always a lively girl, on or off the field.
"She always gives 110 percent and plays a huge role in our teams' chemistry," Townsend said. "Her intensity on the field as a competitor is the same off the field as a friend and a teammate."
Havron started playing soccer when she was four years old and never stopped, but ran track in the offseason to stay in shape. She said she was lucky enough to be given an opportunity to keep going and keep playing, so she did.
"I don't have an interesting life story except for soccer, but I've loved every minute of it," Havron said. "My favorite part about soccer is doing something I love with my friends."
Havron has superstitions and rituals that constantly keep her on edge. Havron said she has a particular playlist that she listens to before every game, and hip hop is definitely a common genre for her pump-up soundtrack.
Before every game, Havron has one of her teammates tape up her bracelets with black sports tape because according to rules and regulations all jewelry must be removed or taped down due to safety concerns.
Havron said she knows it's weird, but her bracelets are something she just has to wear.
"Every game we go into, we basically look at it as if every opponent is our toughest opponent, and everyone gives 190 percent," Havron said. "We have spent a lot of time setting goals and working for them this past year. We will be ready for them, and we'll have fun when the games get here."
Havron's teammates agree that she is quite the team player, but they all bring something special to the team, according to teammate and defensive player Julie King.
"We never have to worry about Heather giving 100 percent. She is definitely, definitely going to help us this year," King said.
Of the four returning seniors, King said each of them offer different personalities that really mesh well together and is a good leading force for the team this year.
"Between the four seniors, we all have easy going attitudes and are very compatible with each other and have never had any sort of issues, and are always willing to work with each other to accomplish what needs to be done," Townsend said.
Despite her game-face attitude and deep love for the game, Havron's teammates said she doesn't get stressed out before games, and that during the game, she is one of the most dependable players on the team.
Townsend said Havron's appetite before games may be a little too much to stomach sometimes. Part of her strange appetite includes bringing her own egg to the team room in a plastic bag to add to her breakfast.
"Heather has a very unique appetite, and for her pregame breakfast on Sundays, she'll usually make a Bagel with grape jelly, banana, eggs, and then try and tell us how good it tastes," Townsend said. "But that's just her. She's very quirky."
The Auburn Women's Soccer team plays Friday and Sunday nights. Fans will be able to catch Havron and the other seniors display their individual skills as well as team play on a field where nothing but hard work and love of the game matter.
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