University of North Texas Athletics
Q&A With 2020 Soccer Captains
8/6/2020 9:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
DENTON — Being a captain of a collegiate sports team can mean many different things depending on the program.
And there are few around the nation, let alone at North Texas, that gives its captains as much responsibility and has as much stature as the Mean Green soccer program's. Whether it's setting the tone for the season in training, being a role model to underclassmen, organizing team events to talking with head coach John Hedlund about the team sheet, captaining a UNT soccer team is more than just the privilege of wearing a captain arm band.
For the upcoming 2020 season, seniors Brooke Lampe and Berklee Peters along with redshirt junior goalkeeper Kelsey Brann have been selected as the team captains. This is Lampe's second year as a captain.
We caught up with the captains after a morning training session to discuss the 2020 season and building off what were some of the most successful captains in program history.
BROOKE LAMPE
You're in your second season as a captain but unlike last year you're now the veteran. What's different about being a captain this year
BL: You know this year is a little different because last year we had Dom (James) and Nat (Newell) who were three-year captains and kind of led Lo (Bruffett) but this year we're leading it and sort of in our own way.
Is there anything you'd like to do different or improve on?
BL: We want to make sure our team chemistry off the field is also strong. We don't want to be separated by class or have clicks. That's been a main focus and making sure the underclassmen know we're here to win and that's the culture. It not only will help this year but after we're gone. Past captains and seniors did a great job with that.
What has this preseason been like?
BL: It's been very different. We're a little more by ourself when we're working out or training, which is new. But it's forced us to step out of our comfort zone a bit. But we're starting to put all our minds together now that we're together.
On top of winning championships, what are some goals you have for this team?
BL: Of course we want to win an NCAA Tournament game and keep some streaks alive and start some new ones. We want to see how long we can go without being scored on and keep our winning streak at home alive. But another team goal I have for our team is to have a even greater team bond. I want the freshmen to feel comfortable that they can come talk to anyone on the team. And some individual goals for me are I want to be all-conference not just all-tournament like last year and have our other seniors like Elle Marie DeFrain and Berklee Peters be all-conference too.
There's a completely different defensive backline this year, what's that going to be like?
BL: We've got some big shoes to fill. Obviously at North Texas defense is what we're known for. But having the girls last year and learning from Dom, Nat, G, and Reese two years ago it's not going to be too hard to teach our freshmen. They're going to have to compete for those spots. To be honest I'm pretty excited for it but it'll be different. We're not Dom but we're going to have to find a way to still hold that kind of power and that falls on us seniors.
What were some captain characteristics you got from Dominique James?
BL: She refused to lose. She wasn't going to let anyone beat her and that really always pushed me because I wanted to live up to her expectations. I mean we'll never be as fast as her and she knew that but she wouldn't let anyone slack off so I need to keep that standard and hold the rest of the team to a similar standard.
BERKLEE PETERS
What did it mean to you to be named a captain?
BP: It meant a lot. Coach Hedlund has expected more and more of me each year. And to be the most veteran forward I know I need to be a leader especially with that group so it's an awesome honor.
What is something you'd like to advocate to the team as its captain?
BP: I think it's important the freshmen and underclassmen know it's going to take time and that you might be scared or not have the best start in the beginning but you have to believe in yourself. I didn't my freshman year but I stuck with it and that's important.
You had great captains in your first three years at UNT what were some characteristics you most appreciated about their leadership?
BP: They pushed us. They didn't let us be complacent or take it easy. They believed in us and motivated us to be our best for the team.
What are some goals you have for the team?
BP: For the team I want us to be one. I want us to be connected regardless of grades. There's a lot of us but I think it's important we are one team and everyone feels comfortable together. If we're a solid unit we can beat anyone. As far as my own personal goals, I want score more than 14 goals this year, be all-conference again and break more records.
Unlike last year, this year there are a lot returning forwards. Where do you feel that group is right now?
BP: We're a lot further ahead than we were at this point last year for sure. I think our roles and chemistry is really good and we're going to build off the success we finished last year with.
KELSEY BRANN
What did it mean to be named a captain?
KB: Honestly when you're a goalkeeper you're already a captain on the field so I was sort of used to that part of it. The part about choosing what we get to wear at practice is a new but it's definitely an honor and something I'm proud of.
You of course were the C-USA Goalkeeper of the Year last season. So what's next?
KB: Obviously want to repeat that award but want to do better and give up less goals. I want to make the conference tournament team which I did my freshman year but not last year and usually if the championship team gets the Goalkeeper of the Year award so that'd mean we did well as a team which is important.
It's of course early, but what's it been like having a completely different defensive backline in front of you for this year?
KB: Honestly it's looking pretty good. Lampe has done a good job leading them and organizing them and is someone I can trust. Taylor (Hunter) is back and now as a sophomore is more experienced. And the couple of freshmen (Hedlund) has put back there have been really good so I haven't had to yell too much but it's only been a couple days.
What were some things past captains did that you appreciated and will try to replicate now that you're a captain?
KB: Dom was a great advocate for the team when talking to coaches and administrators and I definitely appreciated that. It's something specifically I need to get a little better at but it's something that is important for our team and program.
What is something you'd like emphasize as team captain?
KB: Building the team chemistry is important. No one needs to feel disconnected from the team. If we can do that early on we'll be in a good place.
This of course has been a very different start to the year with the COVID pandemic and the first game being pushed back a month, how have you handled the changes?
KB: I'm a pretty independent person as is so my personal life hasn't changed a whole lot. As far as the season, there's not a whole lot we can do of course but I think there are some advantages to pushing the season back. Normally we only have two weeks before we play our first match now we have a whole month. It gives us more time to build chemistry on the field and get in better shape. With regards to class, it'll be a little different but we'll have to adapt. Having all online classes might help us with time management since the fall is usually a very busy time of the year for us.
And there are few around the nation, let alone at North Texas, that gives its captains as much responsibility and has as much stature as the Mean Green soccer program's. Whether it's setting the tone for the season in training, being a role model to underclassmen, organizing team events to talking with head coach John Hedlund about the team sheet, captaining a UNT soccer team is more than just the privilege of wearing a captain arm band.
For the upcoming 2020 season, seniors Brooke Lampe and Berklee Peters along with redshirt junior goalkeeper Kelsey Brann have been selected as the team captains. This is Lampe's second year as a captain.
We caught up with the captains after a morning training session to discuss the 2020 season and building off what were some of the most successful captains in program history.
BROOKE LAMPE
You're in your second season as a captain but unlike last year you're now the veteran. What's different about being a captain this year
BL: You know this year is a little different because last year we had Dom (James) and Nat (Newell) who were three-year captains and kind of led Lo (Bruffett) but this year we're leading it and sort of in our own way.
Is there anything you'd like to do different or improve on?
BL: We want to make sure our team chemistry off the field is also strong. We don't want to be separated by class or have clicks. That's been a main focus and making sure the underclassmen know we're here to win and that's the culture. It not only will help this year but after we're gone. Past captains and seniors did a great job with that.
What has this preseason been like?
BL: It's been very different. We're a little more by ourself when we're working out or training, which is new. But it's forced us to step out of our comfort zone a bit. But we're starting to put all our minds together now that we're together.
On top of winning championships, what are some goals you have for this team?
BL: Of course we want to win an NCAA Tournament game and keep some streaks alive and start some new ones. We want to see how long we can go without being scored on and keep our winning streak at home alive. But another team goal I have for our team is to have a even greater team bond. I want the freshmen to feel comfortable that they can come talk to anyone on the team. And some individual goals for me are I want to be all-conference not just all-tournament like last year and have our other seniors like Elle Marie DeFrain and Berklee Peters be all-conference too.
There's a completely different defensive backline this year, what's that going to be like?
BL: We've got some big shoes to fill. Obviously at North Texas defense is what we're known for. But having the girls last year and learning from Dom, Nat, G, and Reese two years ago it's not going to be too hard to teach our freshmen. They're going to have to compete for those spots. To be honest I'm pretty excited for it but it'll be different. We're not Dom but we're going to have to find a way to still hold that kind of power and that falls on us seniors.
What were some captain characteristics you got from Dominique James?
BL: She refused to lose. She wasn't going to let anyone beat her and that really always pushed me because I wanted to live up to her expectations. I mean we'll never be as fast as her and she knew that but she wouldn't let anyone slack off so I need to keep that standard and hold the rest of the team to a similar standard.
BERKLEE PETERS
What did it mean to you to be named a captain?
BP: It meant a lot. Coach Hedlund has expected more and more of me each year. And to be the most veteran forward I know I need to be a leader especially with that group so it's an awesome honor.
What is something you'd like to advocate to the team as its captain?
BP: I think it's important the freshmen and underclassmen know it's going to take time and that you might be scared or not have the best start in the beginning but you have to believe in yourself. I didn't my freshman year but I stuck with it and that's important.
You had great captains in your first three years at UNT what were some characteristics you most appreciated about their leadership?
BP: They pushed us. They didn't let us be complacent or take it easy. They believed in us and motivated us to be our best for the team.
What are some goals you have for the team?
BP: For the team I want us to be one. I want us to be connected regardless of grades. There's a lot of us but I think it's important we are one team and everyone feels comfortable together. If we're a solid unit we can beat anyone. As far as my own personal goals, I want score more than 14 goals this year, be all-conference again and break more records.
Unlike last year, this year there are a lot returning forwards. Where do you feel that group is right now?
BP: We're a lot further ahead than we were at this point last year for sure. I think our roles and chemistry is really good and we're going to build off the success we finished last year with.
KELSEY BRANN
What did it mean to be named a captain?
KB: Honestly when you're a goalkeeper you're already a captain on the field so I was sort of used to that part of it. The part about choosing what we get to wear at practice is a new but it's definitely an honor and something I'm proud of.
You of course were the C-USA Goalkeeper of the Year last season. So what's next?
KB: Obviously want to repeat that award but want to do better and give up less goals. I want to make the conference tournament team which I did my freshman year but not last year and usually if the championship team gets the Goalkeeper of the Year award so that'd mean we did well as a team which is important.
It's of course early, but what's it been like having a completely different defensive backline in front of you for this year?
KB: Honestly it's looking pretty good. Lampe has done a good job leading them and organizing them and is someone I can trust. Taylor (Hunter) is back and now as a sophomore is more experienced. And the couple of freshmen (Hedlund) has put back there have been really good so I haven't had to yell too much but it's only been a couple days.
What were some things past captains did that you appreciated and will try to replicate now that you're a captain?
KB: Dom was a great advocate for the team when talking to coaches and administrators and I definitely appreciated that. It's something specifically I need to get a little better at but it's something that is important for our team and program.
What is something you'd like emphasize as team captain?
KB: Building the team chemistry is important. No one needs to feel disconnected from the team. If we can do that early on we'll be in a good place.
This of course has been a very different start to the year with the COVID pandemic and the first game being pushed back a month, how have you handled the changes?
KB: I'm a pretty independent person as is so my personal life hasn't changed a whole lot. As far as the season, there's not a whole lot we can do of course but I think there are some advantages to pushing the season back. Normally we only have two weeks before we play our first match now we have a whole month. It gives us more time to build chemistry on the field and get in better shape. With regards to class, it'll be a little different but we'll have to adapt. Having all online classes might help us with time management since the fall is usually a very busy time of the year for us.
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Midfield
/ Women's Soccer
Defense
/ Women's Soccer
Forward/Midfield/Defense/Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
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