First-years Julia Lorenzi, Alyssa Carlson, Addison Ash and Cecelia Simion ready for action. Photo by Alison Skowronek.
ROCCO SANTORO | STAFF REPORTER | rsantoro@butler.edu
“Welcome to the Team” is a Q&A series where the Collegian sits down with first-year student-athletes who are entering their first season at Butler University. These articles will address why they chose Butler, what they hope to get out of this season and some personal tidbits that you won’t find anywhere else.
This week, staff reporter Rocco Santoro sat down with four first-years from the Butler women’s soccer team: Addison Ash, Cecelia Simion, Alyssa Carlson and Julia Lorenzi
Addison Ash is a 5’7” goalkeeper from Fishers, Indiana. Photo by Alison Skowronek.
THE BUTLER COLLEGIAN: How did you get into soccer?
ADDISON ASH: I got into soccer when I was really little. It was really by choice. I was three years old, and then from there I fell in love with the game. I was on a bunch of really bad teams for a long time, but as I did more one-on-one training, I got more into it.
TBC: Why did you choose Butler?
AA: The culture and the coaching staff. It was different than a lot of schools. Other schools carry large rosters and you don’t really know anyone on the team. I wanted an environment that felt more like family, which is exactly what they have here.
TBC: How did you start playing goalkeeper?
AA: I started playing goalkeeper when I was in sixth grade. [I played both] goalkeeper and forward. I was one of the more athletic people on my team, so that’s why they put me [as a goalkeeper]. From there, I chose goalkeeper at practice and started doing one-on-one training with the goalkeeper coach [of my club team], and then it just stuck.
TBC: What is your favorite soccer memory?
AA: My favorite soccer memory is last summer when [my club] went to the ECNL final four. We had a really successful year, and we won two [penalty] shootouts that year.
TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer player that you model your game after?
AA: Someone who inspires my game is Alyssa Naeher. She just retired from the US Women’s National Team, but I’ve always looked up to her.
TBC: What are you most looking forward to this season?
AA: I’m most looking forward to the game days and the environment. Being with the team, being in a new space as a [first-year], meeting new people and getting to learn from players that are older than me and more experienced. Coming here [and] now being in season, it’s so cool.
TBC: What is your biggest pet peeve?
AA: My soccer pet peeve is people wearing their socks low. In general, people who chew with their mouth open.
Cecelia Simion is a 5’5” midfielder from Rochester Hills, Michigan. Photo by Alison Skowronek.
TBC: Why did you choose Butler?
CECELIA SIMION: I chose Butler because when I met the team and coaches, they were all really nice and made it seem like [Butler] is a really competitive environment. Transitioning from club soccer to college soccer, I wanted that type of environment and positivity throughout the team. I wanted a smaller campus size because I felt like it would be easier to get around and feel more connected.
TBC: What made you choose soccer over basketball?
CS: I just wasn’t tall enough for basketball, and I feel like there’s more running and being creative [in soccer]. In basketball, there [are] certain plays that you have to run, but in soccer, you can just play freely and do whatever you want on the field.
TBC: What do you do before a game to prepare?
CS: I usually either get Starbucks or an energy drink to wake me up [and] get me pumped up for the game. [Also] sleeping in and getting a good breakfast.
TBC: What is your favorite soccer memory?
CS: My favorite soccer memory is the Girls Academy semifinals when we played IMG [Academy]. We were down 3-0 going into the second half and ended up scoring three goals on them and took them to overtime. We ended up winning in [penalty kicks]. [That was] the best soccer game I’ve ever played.
TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer player that you look up to?
CS: Either Carli Lloyd or Julie Ertz. They’re both midfielders who are really aggressive and [they go] towards the goal. They’re very good players.
TBC: What are you most looking forward to this season?
CS: Big East play. They’re all really competitive and good teams. I feel like that’s going to be a good test for us, and we’re going to be introduced to hardships and have to deal with [them]. I feel like that’d be cool.
TBC: What is your dream vacation spot?
CS: My dream vacation spot is Italy. I’ve seen pictures, and it’s always so pretty. The sea, all the different houses and monuments. I feel like that would be really cool to visit.
Alyssa Carlson is a 5’3” forward from West Lake Hills, Texas. Photo by Alison Skowronek.
TBC: Why did you pick Butler?
ALYSSA CARLSON: For soccer. The academics are good, and I liked how competitive the program was in the conference.
TBC: What made you get into soccer?
AC: I have always played it since I was young. It’s always been a part of who I am, and I love the sport.
TBC: What are some challenges with the transition from club and high school soccer to collegiate soccer?
AC: [Going] from being one of the best players on your team to having a whole team where everyone is really good and specialized in certain aspects of the game.
TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer memory?
AC: Making it to the state championship game in Texas for my high school team.
TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer player?
AC: [Andres] Iniesta.
TBC: What are you most looking forward to this season?
AC: Playing all the teams in our conference.
TBC: If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
AC: The ability to fly.
Julia Lorenzi is a 5’9” goalkeeper from Busto Arsizio, Italy. Photo by Alison Skowronek.
TBC: How did you start playing soccer?
JULIA LORENZI: When I was six years old, I was trying a lot of sports. My brother started playing soccer, and that was one of the sports I hadn’t tried yet. Since then, I quit all the other sports for soccer.
TBC: Why did you pick Butler?
JL: I picked Butler because when I talked with coaches Rob [Alman] and Tari [St. John], they seemed very close to the team and especially to the sport. [Coach] Rob seems very passionate about it. I think Butler is the perfect university to realize my dreams in life and in sports.
TBC: What was it like playing soccer in Italy to now playing here in Indiana?
JL: There are some different things in Italy than here, like some styles to play as a goalkeeper. There [are] some differences in movement decisions, but it’s not so different.
TBC: What is your favorite soccer memory?
JL: My favorite soccer memory was when my old club team won the Championship of Italy in 2023-24.
TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer player?
JL: [Lionel] Messi.
TBC: What are you most excited about for this season?
JL: Playing against new teams because it’s all new to me to see how they play soccer here. I’m excited for the Big East tournament and the conference.
TBC: If you could have lunch with any celebrity, who would you pick and why?
JL: Emma Watson because she’s one of my favorite actresses. I discovered her through Harry Potter when I was young. She’s definitely my favorite character.
