http://www.ourgamemagazine.com/pepsi-deildin.html
Pepsi-Deildin (Úrvalsdeild)
Pepsi-Deildin is Iceland's top-flight league, featuring the following clubs in 2011: Stjarnan, Valur, ÍBV, Þór/KA, Fylkir, Breiðablik, KR, Þróttur R., Afturelding, and Grindavík
Aug. 3, 2011
Q&A with Stjarnan striker Ashley Bares
Ashley Bares, the First Half Player of the Year in Pepsi-Deildin and league all-star, has been on a tear this season with league leaders Stjarnan. Through 11 matches played this season for Stjarnan, the recent Marquette University grad leads the league in scoring with 16 goals. We recently caught up with Bares following a training session this week.
Our Game: Obviously everyone who plays soccer, their goal is to one day play professionally. Was that how it was with you, and what were you setting your sights on?
Ashley Bares: It was like this for me, too! I always dreamed of playing professionally. Ever since I was little, playing in college, and playing professionally were what I always hoped for. Once I heard of players playing overseas, I had my mind set on trying to play overseas, for the soccer and to be able to experience somewhere new.
OG: Did you consider entering the Women's Professional (WPS) Draft, or did you attend any of their tryouts or combines?
AB: I did consider trying to play in the WPS and attending a tryout, but I was still finishing up my classes in the spring. Also, I always thought playing overseas would be an awesome experience, playing in a completely different environment and with new players. Of course, playing in the WPS would still be something I'd love to try and do, to be able to play ball in the states in front of family and friends would be pretty great. I hope the league keeps building and continues to show support and interest, especially after the WWC this year. Our USWNT did such a great job representing and playing with heart. It was fun to watch and cheer them on!
OG: A lot of your college goals were scored by finding a way to get past defenders with both creativity and great vision, and you took advantage of defenders if they gave you just an inch or two of open space, rather than scoring off, for instance, back post headers, crosses, etc. Is that one of the reasons why you've become so successful in Iceland?
AB: I think that playing for Marquette and in the Big East had taught me as a player that when I used my body and strength, it helped me become dangerous near goal and to keep the ball for our team. It has prepared me well for where I am playing now. I know that I can be a strong player up top and using my body well is something that helps me when I go against defenders. In Iceland, I have been trying to do the same, but also continue to try and build and add to my game. Ultimately, I just want to do what I can to get the ball in the net.
OG: Describe the first day you arrived in Iceland (your first day of training, what it was like, how it was different from American soccer).
AB: For me, my first day in Iceland I arrived on a Friday at 7 a.m. Iceland time, after traveling all afternoon/night Thursday. I arrived at my place. and I got to sleep for about three hours during the day, then training time. I was anxious and excited for meeting the team and coaches. When I got to our field, I met our coaches, and they told me we were running the Cooper Fitness Test at training that day, but since I just arrived off the plane I could wait and sit it out and take it another day. Come on, who would want to sit out when they just arrived?! I told them I'd love to jump in with the team and start training with them and do the test. Running the Cooper, my legs started feeling heavy from all the travel, but with all my excitement and happiness of being here in Iceland, playing, I just kept running, stayed with the group and passed my first fitness test here. So that was my first training ... the day I arrived ha ha. The next day we had actual training, not a fitness day. It was to me short and sweet, maybe like an hour and 15 minutes on the pitch altogether. Drills were similar, but it seemed to go by so fast, and then it was over. So, biggest difference is the length of training, compared to coming from college. The language barrier was another big difference for me. I like to think I'm a vocal player and teammate, so when the coach and girls were talking in Icelandic, I wanted to know what they were saying. But now I am used to hearing the language, and the girls and coach are great with talking to me when I don't understand something or explaining in English.
OG: Did it take a while to get used to their style of play?
AB: For me, it didn't really. I jumped in and played right away, then just adjusted things as I went, what worked and what didnt work.
OG: In just your second game for Stjarnan, you scored two goals, and then you just go on a tear, scoring goals in almost every game, including 10 over your last four games. You've obviously found your knack. To what do you attribute all this success?
AB: I do like to score, like any forward, so I've just been trying to work hard and help my team out by creating chances to score and working as a team to get us the wins we want and need. It is always nice to score goals for you team, so whatever way I can help our team on the field, I'll try my best to do it.
OG: You were named the top player for the first half of the season in Iceland. What was your reaction?
AB: It was nice hearing the news of course, but I was just happy that our team did well the first half of the season. It has put us in a good position for the second half of the season if we continue to work hard and play smart. That's what really matters - our team and how we are doing together. I got the honor because we worked hard, and I helped with putting some goals in for our team, which helped us win some games.
OG: There are more and more Americans playing overseas, even more so now in Iceland. What's it like knowing that there are opportunities to play professionally after college?
AB: For someone who absolutely loves the game and wants to continue playing, I think hearing of leagues that are strong and successful is so nice. To have the opportunity to experience playing overseas is very exciting as a player.
OG: What are some things you like to do outside of soccer, particularly on days off?
AB: I like to explore around Iceland when I get the chance. It really is beautiful here. I love seeing the mountains every day, people riding around on horses, and the soccer here! The people just love the game, and it's great. There are small pitches all over Iceland by the schools, and they are filled with little kids playing at practice or just playing pick-up. It's great! I like to go for jogs around and just check things out. When I'm running, it's like a reality check every time. I still say to myself, 'I'm in Iceland playing soccer!?' It's awesome. I love it. Also, I've climbed to the top of Mt. Esjan here, which was so amazing. It was great climb getting to the top and such an amazing view! Exploring downtown Reykjavik is fun and grabbing lunch with teammates and hanging out on days off.
OG: What would it mean to you to win the league this year?
AB: When we won the preseason cup for the first time ever, it was pretty exciting to be a part of, but to win the league it would definitely be even better. Stjarnan has never won the league, and being my first time here I think it is a great goal to go after. It would be a great accomplishment and something our team would be very proud of, but we do have some very tough games left, so we need to take it one game at a time and continue to work hard.
LOVE FROM ICELAND.
xo ash.
The goals just keep on coming for Ashley Bares(Ozaukee/Marquette).
