Survill Leading Panthers as Senior

Caroline Survill and her Panthers teammates have one focus for the rest of the season.

After getting eliminated from the Somerset County Tournament on Saturday, the Bridgewater-Raritan girls soccer team can focus its attention on playing up to and in the New Jersey State Tournament. With the season more than half way over, Survill will help lead the Panthers back to prominence.

It’s been a strong season for the Panthers, who are ranked 15th in the Star Ledger Top 20. The team sits at 11-5-1 on the season, and Survill’s play on the defensive unit has been a large part of the team’s success.

With the second half of the season in full swing, Survill took time to sit down with Bridgewater Patch to talk about her time at Bridgewater-Raritan.

Bridgewater Patch: When did you start playing soccer?

Caroline Survill: When I was about five years old in kindergarden. I was playing with Bridgewater Recreation and I eventually moved on to traveling soccer.

BP: Do you play any other sports or participate in any other clubs or sports?

CS: I used to play basketball freshman year, but soccer was my number one priority. I knew I had to make a decision in high school out of those two sports, which one I wanted to play in college. I decided that soccer is my favorite sport. I absolutely love the game and I know I want to play it beyond high school.

BP: What is your favorite thing about playing soccer?

CS: Team unity. I am such good friends with everyone on the team, and being on a team definitely brings everyone together. I know going to the next level that being on a team will unite me with those teammates and I will start new friendships because of it.

BP: What were your expectations coming into the season?

CS: I didn’t think there would be any drama and so far that has held together. I thought that we could struggle in offense a little bit because we have a lot of solid defenders. We have players that have really stepped up on offense. I figured we would have the same record as last year and right now I feel like we’re pretty close to that.

BP: How has your role on this team changed from freshmen year to becoming captain of the varsity team this season?

CS: I started out on the freshman team where I was elected as captain. I feel like as the years have gone on, I feel like I have gotten more important to the team. I definitely think that my teammate’s respect for me has grown over the last four years.

BP: The team has had success so far and is now eyeing the state tournament. What must the team do to have a successful state tournament run?

CS: We definitely need to figure out what our game is and execute it to the best of our abilities. I don’t think we have a set style of play and we need to figure out what is best for all of us.

BP: What has been your most memorable moment with the soccer program?

CS: The pasta parties. Those were always my favorite moments because it is such a great bonding experience with my teammates. I’m going to miss those when I go on to college.

BP: If you could sum up your experience with the Panthers soccer program in one word, what would it be? Why?

CS: Dedication because you have to work hard to be a member of this program. It is not easy to be on this team and there are so many kids in this school that try out for this team every year. If you’re not working hard and determined, you’re not going to make the team.

BP: What are your plans for the future after graduation from Bridgewater-Raritan?

CS: Last year, I verbally committed to Old Dominion University in Virginia. I plan on playing there next year and hopefully playing for their defensive squad.

BP: How will you take what you have learned as a student athlete at Bridgewater-Raritan with you to the collegiate level?

CS: I have learned that hard work and getting through pre-season are key to having a successful season. I feel like pre-season at college is going be tough, but once you get through that and get the basics down, your season will go by pretty quickly. It’s a long season and the dedication to the game that I have developed as a member of this team will help me as I take my game to the next level.