LSU senior midfielder Jen deHay fills an important role for the LSU soccer team on and off the field.
Coach George Fotopoulos said he is thankful that the team has her.
“Jen has been big for us this year,” Fotopoulos said. “It’s players like her that have really built this program to where it is today. We are now competitive in the SEC and around the country and that is because Jen deHay four years ago made a commitment to come here and make a difference for us.”
deHay began her LSU career as a starter, but Fotopoulos changed her role in the Tigers’ lineup.
“Last year, George wanted me to play the same role,” deHay said, “but coming off the bench. I had a pretty bad attitude and pretty soon found myself being the last one to come off the bench. This year I’ve accepted my role. There are players that are starters and there are players you need to come in and close the game. If that’s my role on the team, then I accept that.”
Fotopoulos said he is happy with the way deHay has taken on her role this year.
“I think all my seniors have to understand what their role is for the team,” Fotopoulos said. “I think finally she understands it’s not about how many games you start or anything else like that, but [it’s] about where the team has to go to accomplish its goals.”
This season deHay has had a fairly constant presence on the playing field. She has played 517 minutes in 14 games, contributing one goal and one assist.
“She’s just a great player for us and brings creativity to our game,” said junior forward Artie Brown.
deHay’s academic schedule requires her to miss two practices a week. deHay said she does all she can to make up for the missed practices.
“I just try my hardest when I am out here at practice,” she said. “I come out to practice early and play a pick-up game with the coaches or I’ll come out and work a clinic.”
Sophomore midfielder Kate Ripple said she noticed deHay’s leadership and work ethic training during the summer.
“She’s definitely a great leader on the team,” Ripple said. “She’s not necessarily a vocal leader, but definitely is a leader for everybody on the team by her actions and work ethic. She’s been a very good influence on me. She works hard day in and day out and I respect that about her.”
Freshman defender Stephanie Ford said the first year players look to deHay for leadership and encouragement.
“She brings a lot of leadership that a lot of the seniors don’t bring,” Ford said. “She watches out for the freshmen and underclassmen to make sure we are doing what we need to be doing because a lot of times we don’t know. She encourages us and helps us through stuff.”
deHay is a Hawaii native who found her way to Baton Rouge after former LSU soccer coach Greg Boggs saw her and her twin sister play in California. Both were recruited, but deHay sought to attend a university where she wouldn’t be in the shadow of her twin sister.
“I was recruited by the previous coach,” deHay said. “He saw my sister and I play twice in California. He recruited the both of us, but she didn’t come on the visit. She chose not to come, so I could come to LSU without anyone knowing I had a twin sister who was a better soccer player.”
Her sister went on to play soccer for Stanford and the University of Hawaii.
Life in Louisiana is much different than deHay’s way of life in Hawaii, but she said she has become adjusted over time.
“At first I didn’t like it because it’s so different, but now I like it and I will probably be staying here a little longer,” deHay said.