Riley uses personality and experience to lead the Badgers
October 22, 2010 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 22, 2010
MADISON, Wis. -- As a four-year letter winner on the Wisconsin women’s soccer team, it is safe to say that no one in the program would hesitate to say that senior Darcy Riley has been an incredible asset to the team.
The Akron, Ohio, native entered her first collegiate season in 2007-08. Riley was originally recruited by former Wisconsin head coach Dean Duerst (1994-2006), the Wisconsin head coach prior to the 2007-08 season, before current head coach Paula Wilkins took over the program before Riley’s freshman season. Riley, who competed in 18 games during her rookie season, had no problem impressing the new coaching staff at Wisconsin.
Since she has been a part of the Wisconsin women’s soccer team, the program has significantly improved with each season.
“The Wisconsin soccer program is one of the hardest fighting teams I have ever seen,” Riley said. “I know it seems like everyone is going to say this about their team but coming from my freshman year when we had a losing season, and did not even make it into the (NCAA) tournament, then turning around and making it to the third round last year shows something.
“We never once gave up and to this day I have not felt like my team backs down. We have played some of the best teams in the nation, some losing, some winning, but always ready to battle.”
The program is now one of the top teams in the Big Ten Conference, and Riley is one of two seniors who have led the team to this point.
With the hiring of a new coaching staff for the 2007-08 season, the players had many adjustments to adhere to. Riley and Taryn Francel (San Diego, Calif.), the two lone seniors of the team, are the only players Wilkins has had with her throughout all the changes in the program in the last four seasons.
“The biggest difference is honestly letting the underclassmen know what our expectations are,” Riley said. “When they come in as a freshman, the first thing we want them to know is that we are a team who pushes each other and never goes easy. We also all know that no matter what we keep working hard, whether it’s a positive or negative time of our season.”
Wilkins and Riley have had a great relationship throughout her years at Wisconsin. Although Riley was not recruited directly by Wilkins, she had no problem demonstrating her ability to lead on and off the field right away.
“I think having a close relationship with your coach makes it easier to listen to them and respect their decisions,” Riley said. “When you know a coach better it is easier to be coached by them.”
Balancing the life of a student-athlete is a difficult task to manage for four years and it requires a lot of dedication and time from Riley. Riley and Francel are the lone seniors left from the original 2007 recruiting class, which started with 11.
“Although during the four years, it seemed like a lot of hard work and took a long time, looking back, it seems like I was just a freshman yesterday. I am very happy I was a four-year athlete and it is a major accomplishment that I will always be happy with.”
Riley put in four long years of hard work and dedication to better the soccer program at Wisconsin, and is recognized for the program’s continuous success.
Many are familiar with the term “all work and no play”—well that wasn’t necessarily the case for the Wisconsin women’s soccer team.
“My favorite memory would either be beating Arizona State in a shootout last year to make it to the third round of the NCAA tournament or beating Penn State on Sunday,” Riley said. “It was an amazing feeling. My favorite memory at practice would be when Coach Wilkins was trying to show us ‘good defending,’ but while showing us, slipped and fell. It doesn’t sound as funny now but, while getting yelled at, then seeing your coach fall and have a blank look on her face while the whole team holds in laughter is…priceless.”
Riley continues to demonstrate a large role as a senior leader on the team. Although Riley has struggled with an injury this season, that did not stop her from being instrumental to the team’s success. When Riley has not been able to play, she has been a leader off the field. Wilkins and the entire team will reference Riley’s great sense of humor and often refer to her as the ‘personality’ or ‘character’ of the team.
After graduating with a degree in Elementary Education in the fall of 2011, Riley plans to search for a job and build on her experiences both academically and athletically in the “real world”.
When asked where she sees herself in the next five years…
“Well, I will be 27. I want to be a teacher, so for sure that. Maybe some traveling? Married? I have no clue honestly!”
Riley and the rest of the Badger squad take on the Michigan State Spartans Friday at 7:00 p.m. (CT) at the McClimon Soccer Complex. Wisconsin concludes the weekend against the Michigan Wolverines on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. (CT). The team will take time before Sunday’s match to recognize both Riley and Francel.
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Krista Lundgren, Wisconsin Athletic Communications
