Freshman Feature: Riley Pfannenstiel
7/28/2017 8:00:00 AM | Soccer
HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston State soccer kicking off the 2017-18 athletic calendar on Aug. 18 and over the next several weeks, we'll introduce you to the program's eight incoming freshman.
The unit looks to help the Bearkats make their return to the Southland Conference Tournament for the eighth time in nine years. The group includes three midfielders, three defenders and two forwards while six of the eight hail from Texas and the other two coming from Tulsa, Okla., and Phoenix, Ariz.
Our fifth freshman is No. 14, Riley Pfannenstiel. She played at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville, Texas, under Coach Rennie Rebe, helping the squad to the regional finals in 2015 and qualify for area in 2016. Pfannenstiel also played on the Austin Texans 99G Red under Sergio Rapuano and JD Cochran.
Why did you choose to further your soccer career at Sam Houston?
“I really connected with the coaches, as well as the team. I actually knew a soccer player that went to Sam Houston from my high school and she is an amazing soccer player as well as a supporter, so I found out a lot about Sam through her. I loved how the game of soccer was played at Sam Houston.”
How would you describe your strengths on the field?
“When I think about my strengths, I can think of three strong ones. My number one strength that I can bring to the team is determination. I am really competitive and super aggressive. I hate allowing goals in, so I do everything in my power to stop others from trying to score so slide tackling and hitting is mostly involved in what I do to stop the opponents. Number two for me is my known long kicks. Normally I have the ability to kick a ball from middle field to the goal, so I can kick far. Number three is headers. I loving challenging for the ball in the air and getting the chance to deny the ball from a challenger, as well as getting it to a teammate to help the game move forward.”
What are some of your hobbies outside of soccer?
“Outside of soccer, I love playing volleyball, listening to music, doing little do-it-yourself projects, cooking, coloring and photography (sometimes).”
Do you have any pregame superstitions?
“Have to drink sweet tea right before the game and my spandex and sports bra have to match.”
What are your personal goals entering the season?
“To come back to the team healthy and prepared to play soccer in the spring”
If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
“I would love to visit Germany because I have never been there and that is where my family came from.”
Who is your favorite soccer player and why?
“Julie Ertz because she is a defender and if you watch how she plays, I want to work just as hard and be as determined as she is to become the best she can.”
What three words would you use to describe yourself?
“Dependable, loyal and helpful”
What does a perfect day look like to you?
“Relaxing outside on a sunny day with a nice breeze and taking a nap”
If you could live in a book, TV show or movie, what would it be and why?
“'The Pursuit of Happyness' because it shows a dad who struggles with life but realizes he needs to provide for his son and pushes himself through the hard times to achieve a better life for himself as well as his son. Life will have struggles and obstacles that are put in the path of your success but it is your choice to either push through those barriers or watch them stop you from achieving your life goals. It shows you how hard someone can have it and they still come out better that they were at the start because they pushed themselves and knew they could achieve more than where they were before.”
If you weren't playing soccer, what sport would you be playing?
“Volleyball”
Who are your all-time favorite artists/bands?
"The Weekend, Khalid, Keith Urban, Cody Johnson and Bryson Tiller”
Where is the most interesting place you've visited and why?
“Aruba because that country has different languages as well as well as cultures which allowed me to see so much diversity within one country”
If you had a bucket list, what is one thing that would be on it?
“Getting the chance to leave the USA and go to a different country to experience the different cultures that are outside of the USA.”
