If it’s true that offense wins game, but defense wins championships, it’s safe to assume that this year’s Marquette women’s soccer team will win — and win often.
While many accolades and recognitions are rightfully given to the Golden Eagles’ dynamic back line duo of senior defender Kerry McBride and senior goalkeeper Natalie Kulla, it’s players like sophomore defender Katie Hishmeh who do the little things that have helped Marquette to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments.
Hishmeh has started every game of her collegiate career, and there is no reason why that will change anytime soon.
Unless, of course, she encounters an injury busting out some of her killer dance moves.
“You don’t really see her dancing that much, but she probably is literally the best dancer on our team,” sophomore midfielder Sam Vicker said. “She has a ton of secret dance moves.”
Hishmeh’s reluctance to show her hidden talent reflects well with her play on the field. The stats may not show it (0 goals, 3 assists in her career), but the team knows that Hishmeh is vital for its continued success.
“She is very consistent from the left side and she has done it since the very first day she stepped onto the field last year,” coach Markus Roeders said.
The quintet of Hishmeh, Kulla, McBride, and junior defenders Ally Miller and Megan Jaskowiak have allowed just four goals in six games, which helped propel Marquette’s 5-1-0 start.
The team will have to rely on Hishmeh and the rest of the back line if it wants to sustain its run of success, including repeating as Big East American Division champions for the third straight year.
Marquette’s back line will face stiff competition in the coming weeks from prolific scorers like West Virginia’s senior forward Blake Miller and Notre Dame’s senior forward Melissa Henderson and sophomore forward Adriana Leon.
Hishmeh acknowledges that it’s not just her that will keep others from scoring, but rather a collective team effort, both on and off the field.
“I expect us to be successful by working together and getting to know each other more, because that definitely plays a part besides just winning,” Hishmeh said.
Marquette has already been challenged by teams like Florida State and Long Beach State, and will soon enter the Big East season that includes matches with preseason American Division favorite West Virginia and at home against defending national champion Notre Dame.
If the thought of Hishmeh getting rattled is a concern, Roeders offers a compelling piece of advice.
“She’s solid as a rock and provides a great consistency to our team,” Roeders said. “She’s very composed, and doesn’t try to shine the spotlight on herself and wants the team to do well.”
Hishmeh said her aspirations when she was younger were to be a dancer, but it’s safe to say Roeders is glad she decided to play soccer at Marquette instead.
“We’re really happy with her play and just want her to keep elevating that,” Roeders said. “She’s played against a lot of really great players, and at the end of the day she just embraces it and wants to do well.”
