CHARLOTTE, N.C.- Queens University of Charlotte is pleased to announce that women's soccer player Mary-Ashley Davino has been named the InterCon female student-athlete of the month for the month of October.
Davino, a senior defender from Roswell, Ga., started every game in the month of October and scored one game-winning goal in a double-overtime game to keep the Royals undefeated in Conference Carolinas play. Additionally, she helped to anchor the defense and recorded four shut-outs in nine games. With her efforts, the Royals were able to finish the season undefeated and be named Conference Carolinas regular season Co-Champions.
“Mary-Ashley plays with an unmatched amount of heart, passion, and love for the team and the game,” said Head Coach Katie Talbert. “There hasn't been a player in my coaching career who I have enjoyed coaching more the Mary-Ashley. The team and I will truly miss her presence and heart next season. She deserves to be student-athlete of the month because her efforts helped us remain undefeated and she has played the best soccer of her four year career.”
We caught up with Mary-Ashley for a Q&A:
How does it feel to be student-athlete of the month?
It feels very special to be student athlete of the month. It shows that being a dedicated student in class and an athlete on the field has really stood out and made an impact on you as a person and your school.
Why did you choose to attend Queens?
The main reason I chose Queens was honestly to play soccer. I knew I wanted to play soccer somewhere and go out of state. Queens had everything I could possibly look for in a school, the small community, city life and the chance to be a college athlete.
What are your career goals?
My goals are to be successful and happy in whatever I do. I see too many people working at businesses that don't make them happy and that they dread going to each and every day. I want to be a successful teacher and educate my students the way I have been educated.
What does it take to be academically successful at Queens?
Dedication, hard work and a desire to learn.
How do you manage your demanding schedule?
Time management. I make sure I write down everything I need to do in my planner and then look over it daily. I get ahead instead of getting behind and I try to get as much done on days that I don't have class or have limited work to do.
What is your ritual before taking a test?
I don't really have a ritual that I do every time but I know that in order to do well on tests I have to study. Depending on the amount of material, I try to begin studying two or three days before a test and take notes and make study guides for myself. I find that repetition is the key in order to do well on a test.
Any rituals before a game?
The only thing I do before the game starts is pray during the National Anthem for both teams, sportsmanship, safety and the ability to play our best.
What is your favorite quote?
For me, winning isn't something that happens suddenly on the field when the whistle blows and the crowd roars. Winning is something that builds physically and mentally every day that you train and every night that you dream. – Emmitt Smith
What are your goals for your team this season?
To play with heart and desire the whole year even when things get tough; to be able to show the conference and the region that we are a great team and have the potential to do great things. To work together as a unit of 25 girls and 3 coaches and build a bond that is indestructible.
What are your favorite soccer memories here at Queens?
My favorite soccer memories here at Queens are definitely the away trips and preseason. We have such a great time being together on the road. We tell stories, goof around, play games and have many inside jokes. As weird as it may sound I also love preseason. I don't really enjoy the running but the team bonding is what brings us together and keeps us together throughout the season. We are able to connect with the freshman and reconnect with the returners. We are all there for one another when times may be hard and homesickness comes into play but having two weeks with just the soccer team is amazing and truly defines us as a team. There are many memories to be made during these two weeks and a lifetime of stories to tell.
What is the most rewarding part about being a student-athlete?
I think the most rewarding part is the interaction and experience. When you are a student-athlete you learn so much about yourself and the people around you. You are able to build friendships with people that you may have otherwise never met and keep these friendships for a lifetime. I think also you get a lot of interaction with the staff at your school and the other sports teams which add to a meaningful and diverse education.
What is one fun fact people don't know about you?
I have always wanted to participate in track and field just so I could be a pole vaulter. People who know me would never see me on a track and field team because I don't enjoy running but I think pole vaulting would be a lot of fun.
