A Look Back for Four Freshmen

This Mississippi State soccer team had their 2020 season shortened due to COVID-19, but two freshmen saw a lot of playing time. Olivia Simpson and Birna Jóhannsdóttir had a combined 1,205 minutes of playing time on the field.

Here is a look into Olivia Simpson, Birna Jóhannsdóttir, Taylor James, and Kendal Johnson's freshmen experience while playing for Mississippi State's soccer team.

Q: What has your freshman year been like so far?
KJ: "It's been different. As a class, we have been pretty close and it's been fun."
BJ: "It's been very different. It's been kind of hard but not as hard as I thought it would be."
OS: "For me and Taylor [James] it's been a different experience because we came earlier than the rest of our class. We had school before COVID-19 hit. This semester and it being our first fall was super different because of COVID-19. We still got a lot out of it."
TJ: "It's been a roller coaster for sure. There are a lot of changes constantly, but it's been good."

Q: What's your favorite memory of your fall semester?
In unison, "winning the Magnolia Cup".

Q: How close have you gotten along with the team?
KJ: "I think we are all super close."
OS: "If I ever need anyone on the team I feel like I can call any of them."

Q: How has the transition from playing soccer in high school, to now playing in college?
TJ: "It's gone really well for all of us. It's a lot faster and intense. It's also a lot more fun."
BJ: "It's a lot faster here then what I am used to. It took a while to adapt."

Q: Did anyone in particular help with your transition?
OS: "For me it was Hailey Farrington-Bentil, she always saw me at practice. I would get into my own head; if I messed up I would be down. When we were at practice she would tell me to get up and that I can do it. She was the type of person that would text me after practice and tell me that I did great today, and to come back tomorrow and do better. That was a big help for me."
BJ: "Macey Hodge helped me a lot on the soccer field. Onyi Echegini helped me outside of soccer. I liked talking to her because she knows what I am going through."
TJ: "For me Alyssa D'Aloise and Miranda Carrasco helped me a lot. I knew Miranda from home and we were really close. It's good to have her here as I made that transition."
KJ: "For me, Andrea Tyrrell and Hailey Farrington-Bentil helped me a lot. They are really encouraging. All of the older girls are encouraging to the new girls."

Q: What is the balance like between having practice and having to keep up with your school work?
OS: "It's been very hard. Our academic advisor helps us a lot. If I need a tutor he will tell me to schedule something and come in for extra study hall. It's all available, you just have to sit down and do it. Your parents aren't with you anymore to make sure you get stuff done, so it's all on me now."
TJ: "We all help each other out. Most of us are in the same classes, so we study together and keep each other accountable."

Q: How has the transition been between playing soccer and having school work in high school to college?
TJ: "In high school, you go to school and then you are done for the day and then you're playing soccer. In college it's flipped, your day revolves around soccer and then when you have open parts that's when you're doing your school work. Instead of being less accountable for soccer you have to be more accountable towards school. Soccer is the scheduled part of our day. Especially during COVID-19, school is a lot less scheduled."

Q: What advice would you give an incoming freshman who is going to be on the team?
OS: "I would say to them what Hailey Farrington-Bentil said to me; every practice is different. If you didn't do well yesterday, you're only as good as your last performance, so make that last performance the best that you can. You don't know when you are going to step on the field, so be your best every day. Push yourself harder than you did the last day."
TJ: "Try to learn as much as you can. Everyone is here for a different reason and has their own special talents. If you try to learn as much as you can you are going to be really surprised in how much better you get."
BJ: "Coming from a different country, I would say to be opened minded; it's very different. Being open minded is very important."
KJ: "Come in open minded, and not even just for international players."
BJ: "Be ready for change, it's a big change for everyone."

Q: What helped you the most in your transition?
TJ: "When Olivia and I came in, we came in with a lot of transfers but we were the two youngest and the two freshmen. There was a lot expected from us but there was also a need to prove we weren't the babies of the team. Having each other really helped, especially on rough days when practice wasn't good. Having other people around you who are going through the same experience helped me a lot."

Q: What is one thing that you would tell yourself before you started college?
In unison, they said "be more fit."
TJ: "Embrace change."
BJ: "Be ready for something different."

Q: Taylor, are you excited to finally get to play?
TJ: "Yes, unfortunately it is not going to be for a while. I have started running and doing more stuff with the team, though. I am really excited to join them on the field as well."

The four freshmen will start their spring season soon. Visit HailState.com for more information.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Miranda Carrasco

Alyssa D'Aloise

Onyi Echegini

Hailey Farrington-Bentil

Macey Hodge

Birna Jóhannsdóttir

Taylor James

Kendal Johnson

Olivia Simpson

Andrea Tyrrell

Related Videos