Nov. 3, 2005

By Tom Acox - Special to sjuhawks.com

Alisha Paine, a senior midfielder on St. Joe's women's soccer team, sits upright when answering questions. She clearly isn't nervous, but rather very thoughtful. She's thoughtful in both meanings of the word. She's very gracious and humble, quick to point out the huge influence her grandparents have had on her life and how close she is to them. She's also very thoughtful in response to questions and the words she chooses to answer with. "Did I just say fathom? I don't use the word fathom - I can't imagine life without soccer."

For three years Alisha Paine had been playing solid defense and making offensive runs from her outside defensive back position on St. Joe's women's soccer team. She had been named co-captain in only her sophomore year. However, recently, in what was a gradual change, Paine started playing up more and more in the midfield position.

The team is currently seeded fifth in the A-10 Championships, scheduled to take on fourth seed Dayton, and Paine has achieved team and personal bests in many different categories. The new positioning certainly had something to do with this unforgettable 2005 season for the Hawks and an impressive senior year for Paine.

Paine, who started playing soccer at 12 and was on a club team by 13, says of the new position, "I just kept asking to play up more." She says this season everything just seemed to be in the right place at the right time for a change. "Our coach felt very comfortable with our defense this year," says Paine "and I felt very comfortable with Ali [Wean] up front with me. I think we really compliment each other's styles."

Paine says a typical day for her starts somewhere between six or seven depending on the schedule. She has class early and then heads to conditioning. After conditioning she'll try to grab a quick lunch but doesn't always make it before afternoon classes. "It's never a big deal for me, if I know I have a lot to do I'll try to have a big breakfast or I'll just eat when I'm done with my afternoon classes - it's never too late." When afternoon classes are done, depending on their rotating practice schedule Paine will either head to practice or head home or to the library to try to get some work done or relax before practice.

"When I was named co-captain as a sophomore I was excited but I was realistic," says Paine "First I knew it was going to be tough being a captain as only a sophomore and second I knew it was not all laughs and giggles, there were responsibilities with the job." Paine has certainly thrived in the role, describing herself as very independent and good with management of time and people.

Now, as a senior, she says she's "Used to it" and focuses mainly on leading the team. "I don't have time to get nervous, I just play," says Paine. It's tough not to wonder what kinds of scoring records might have been shattered had Paine played up for four years but when the topic is brought up she says "I'm completely happy, I don't think about that kind of thing." Paine also goes on to say she wouldn't change anything about her college experience on or off the field, "I love St. Joe's and I love my teammates," she says looking back on her four years at Hawk Hill.

Paine says the toughest part about being a student athlete is the stress it puts on you with school work. She says your social life is a lot different too, "Between practice, school work and travel time, there isn't always a lot of time to do other things." However, Paine also says, "The best part of being a student athlete is my teammates, we're like a big family - we're all sisters."