Chandler Hillen, sophomore in special education and goalkeeper for Auburn's soccer team, said she is "All In" for Auburn.
"I had that Auburn spirit the second I stepped foot on campus," Hillen said. "Being a part of this team, you have to be all in in order to accomplish the goals we've set."
The soccer team is 5-1 this season thanks in part to Hillen's efforts. She hopes the team's good fortune will persist as competition continues.
"The goalkeeper position, it's kind of like the quarterback," said coach Karen Hoppa. "It's a big, high-profile position. Every mistake that you make, everybody in the stands can see."
Hillen won recognition as SEC Freshman of the Week after helping defeat Duke and Wright State.
Assistant coach Keidane McAlpine said the media attention isn't causing any jealousy amongst Hillen's teammates.
"It feels great because she's on our team," McAlphin said. "I feel great for Chandler. She's worked really hard. I think the team feels the same way."
Hillen moved from Oceanside, Calif., to join the team.
"Auburn's team was on the rise, and I wanted to be a part of something great," Hillen said.
Being named Freshman of the Week shows she is inching toward that goal, and Hillen said she hopes it will propel her to continue playing well.
"She's a freshman starting goal, and she shut out the No. 5 team in the country," Hoppa said. "I thought it was very well deserved. We're really happy for her as well."
The goalkeeper's consistency on the field helps the team's performance, Hoppa said.
"When she came up big against that first save against Duke--it was a really big save to her left--you could see the whole team step up our level after she made that save," Hoppa said. "You could see from that one save that the team's trust in her just grew and grew."
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