Sooner Profile: Shana All

NORMAN, Okla. -- Senior midfielder Shana All has played more games in her career than any other Sooner on the roster. It is that experience, combined with her never-say-quit attitude, that makes her one of the leaders of this year's team.

A starter since her first season at OU, All had the opportunity to learn the intricacies of college soccer from a pair of seniors on the roster at the time. Four years later, she is trying to pass that same knowledge on to this year's freshmen, many of whom have been asked to play key roles in 2007.

All knows what it takes to be successful, and her drive and work ethic are two things that rub off on everyone else around her. It is that which makes her an ideal leader and will continue to help her succeed in all of her future endeavors.

We recently sat down with Shana to reflect on her four years with the Oklahoma soccer program.

On the benefit of having seven seniors on this year's team:
"I think it has helped a lot. It's helping our freshman get accustomed to being on the field and playing since so many of them are. It definitely helps on the field as far as keeping things together and making sure we're all on the same page."

On consciously taking on more of a leadership role this season:
"Coach Evans has talked to us about making sure we have a leadership position on the team. That's important, especially with having so many freshmen this year. We've all consciously tried to work on our leadership roles and try to help each other out as much as we can."

On having the same type of leadership when she came in as a freshman:
"Definitely. Lauren MacIver and Becky Nelson helped me out a lot position-wise and just in terms of helping me figure out what Randy expects and what needs to happen on the field."

On being in the lineup since she first stepped on campus:
"I was excited. I wanted to play and be out on the field with everyone else. It was exciting and also very nerve-wracking. You don't want to mess up in your big college debut so it's definitely nerve-wracking. The game is totally different from high school -- it's a lot faster and the girls are a lot bigger -- but I was excited and it was a lot of fun."

On advice she would give to herself if she could go back to her freshman year:
"I would have probably been more open to coaching differences and changes like that. The style of play was a lot different than I was used to so I struggled with that as a freshman. Now that I've been through it for awhile it's very easy and almost natural. I would just say to myself, 'Be patient and it will come.'"

On the one thing she is most proud of during her career at OU:
"I'm most proud of being able to contribute to the team both on the field and off the field, as far as just playing and helping other people out."

On her knack for scoring game-winning goals:
"Last year is really when all that happened. A lot of is just being in the right place at the right time and, building on that, just stepping up my role on the field. I'm the type of player who wants the ball, whether it be to score or assist."

On how she developed the reputation of being a clutch player:
"You develop that reputation through working hard in practice and giving it everything you've got during the game. It's all about character and wanting to win no matter what. Even if you're having a bad game, you still want the ball and still want to help contribute in any way you can."

On her future aspirations:
"I would really like to get involved in coaching, preferably at the college level but I would also like to get involved at the high school or club level. I would really like to stay inolved in the game and help others develop."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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