University of Colorado soccer star Nikki Marshall grew up in Mead and went from a standout prep career at Skyline High School to a spot on the United States U-20 national team.
Marshall played every minute of every game for the national team this summer at the CONCACAF championship in Mexico. In tallying a 4-1 record, the U.S. team, with Marshall playing defense, allowed just one goal. The run qualified the U.S. for the 2008 FIFA under-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile in November.
This month, Marshall became a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, college soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy. As a forward for the Buffaloes, the junior has twice led the team in scoring and returns as an all-Big 12 Conference player.
Before helping kick off CU’s season last weekend, she talked with The Denver Post.
Q: Women’s soccer hotbeds: New Jersey, Southern California, Dallas. Mead?
A: I get a lot of crap for being from Mead. People think of it as farm country. They think cornfields, like Lincoln (Neb.). I love my town and I’m proud I’m from there. It was a great place to grow up.
Q: When you travel to play other Big 12 teams, do you ever feel bad for the Colorado natives on those teams for moving away from here?
A: All the time. I think Colorado is amazing. I do feel bad for those girls. They choose good schools. And I’m sure they choose those schools for their older soccer traditions. But they’re definitely missing out on something here. I just don’t think they realize how fast our program is growing here.
Q: Do you ever have to compete for attention at CU, a school that is so football-focused? Or are soccer fans always around, no matter what?
A: I don’t think we compete for fans. Our fans are soccer fans and they’ll always be there. But we try to work on promoting the team. And we get a lot of people coming out. Last season the entire football team showed up on buses before one of their practices. All 105 of them. I think it broke an attendance record last season. There were free hot dogs at that game, so they took advantage of that.
Q: You spent a bunch of time in Mexico this summer. Play tour guide: Where are we going next time?
A: I’d definitely take people to the volcano outside Mexico City. We woke up every morning looking at it. It was wonderful.
Q: Your parents are becoming known for their tailgating parties. Set the scene.
A: They have started a tailgate program before games. They just bring their motor home with a grill and hot dogs and hamburgers. And now a lot of parents go to the parties. I couldn’t ask for anymore. Everyone knows they’re Marshalls. They have their own section near the field where they always sit.
Q: What’s the one can’t-miss game this CU season that soccer fans should circle on their calendars?
A: Definitely the Texas A&M game (Oct. 26, at Prentup Field in Boulder). We’ve beat them once in CU history, when I was a freshman. It’s always an exciting game. They’re a powerhouse team in the conference and it’s always a great matchup.
Q: There are already rumors of a future Denver-based team in the Women’s Professional Soccer league, maybe by 2012. Are you interested?
A: I really would love to play after college if I got the opportunity. And I’d prefer to stay in Colorado. If I had that chance, I’d jump on it for sure.
Nick Groke: 303-954-1015 or ngroke@denverpost.com
Well-fed fans
CU’s Nikki Marshall delivers the top five items on a soccer game tailgating menu:
1. The staples — hot dogs and hamburgers.
2. Always include the classic — seven-layer dip.
3. Brownies and cookies, and any other possible dessert.
4. Or just get catering, from Boulder’s Pasta Jay’s or Chipotle.
5. Beer. Lots of beer.
