First-years Kylie Secoda, Kate Malin, Sarah Beth Sizemore and Maren Degenhart ready for action. Photo by Darcy Leber.

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-year players from the Butler women’s soccer team: Maren Degenhart, Kate Malin, Kylie Secoda and Sarah Beth Sizemore

Maren Degenhart is a 5’9” first-year defender from Columbus, Ohio. Photo by Darcy Leber.

THE BUTLER COLLEGIAN: When did you first get into soccer?

MAREN DEGENHART: When I was in kindergarten, so four years old,

TBC: Why did you choose Butler?

MD: I really liked the coaches and the playing atmosphere and the competitiveness of it. On top of that, the school is really pretty and it has all the academics, the aspect that I wanted.

TBC: How does your experience playing at a strong club team help your adjustment to collegiate soccer?

MD: It helped prepare me. The level of play [and] the speed of play are very high in college. Our coaches really helped prep us for that, physically and mentally, so we’d be ready for the next level.

TBC: What do you like most about Butler so far?

MD: I like all of my teammates the best so far. I love seeing them in the hallway, at lunch and hanging out with them. They’ve really made my experience a lot better.

TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer memory?

MD: Club season in 2023, we made it to nationals in San Diego. That was the best season we had. We did really well in conference and then that trip was the cherry on top. It was really cool.

TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer player that you model your game after?

MD: I model my game after Naomi Girma, who’s also a center back. I [also] really like Rose Lavelle because she’s from Ohio, like me. And Tobin Heath is always really fun to grow up watching.

TBC: What are you most looking forward to this season?

MD: I’m really excited for all of our away games where we get to fly to the destination. We get to go to St. John’s in New York City, [and] I’m really excited for that.

TBC: What is your favorite song and why?

MD: I really like Taylor Swift and her song Daylight. It’s kind of nostalgic for me; it reminds me of middle school because that’s when the album came out.

Kate Malin is a 5’9” first-year defender from Westfield, Indiana. Photo by Darcy Leber.

TBC: Why did you choose Butler?

KATE MALIN: I chose Butler for the great mix of academics and soccer. When I went on my visit here, the team was super welcoming and I like the coaches. I was also looking for a small school.

TBC: Why did you start playing soccer?

KM: When I was really young. I was a fat kid, and my parents decided to put me in sports.

TBC: What’s the adjustment like for you from playing club to college soccer?

KM: It’s definitely a big adjustment. The speed of play is a lot higher. When you get to college, everybody’s good, everybody wants to be here, everybody’s putting in the work to get better every day and I really like the competitive environment.

TBC: Do you have a pregame ritual?

KM: Putting my right shoe on before my left shoe. 

TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer memory?

KM: Two years ago, my team made it to the [ECNL] final four. That was pretty cool.

TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer player that you look up to?

KM: Emily Fox, a right back on the US National team right now. She’s really good.

TBC: What are you most looking forward to this season?

KM: Conference play [when we play] all the Big East schools. I’m really excited to play them and travel.

TBC: Do you have a favorite TV show?

KM: I really like The Office.

Kylie Secoda is a first-year defender from Placentia, California. Photo by Darcy Leber.

TBC: Why did you pick Butler?

KYLIE SECODA: I picked Butler because when I came on my visit, it was just so nice, and I liked the athletics.

TBC: What made you get into soccer?

KS: My mom played soccer in college and she was also a coach, so I grew up ready to walk on a soccer field so it was that from the start.

TBC: What was it like to play high school soccer and club soccer?

KS: Club soccer was super competitive and high school soccer was not the same. I only played two years [of high school] because it was hard to manage. Club soccer was super fun, it was awesome.

TBC: Do you have a favorite pregame snack or meal?

KS: Butter noodles. I eat butter noodles all day, every day, so that’s my go-to.

TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer memory?

KS: [When] my club team won the ECNL National Championship a few years ago.

TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer player?

KS: Rose Lavelle.

TBC: What is your favorite part about Butler so far?

KS: Our teammates, they’re absolutely awesome and I love them all.

TBC: Do you have a favorite book that you have read?

KS: I love “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Of Mice and Men”. Pretty much just classic literature.

Sarah Beth Sizemore is a first-year defender from Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Darcy Leber.

TBC: Why did you choose soccer?

SARAH BETH SIZEMORE: I played all sports growing up so I had to pick one to do the rest of my life. I picked soccer because I’ve always wanted to do team sports. I think [there’s] a lot of value in being part of a team. I like the physicality of [soccer] and the grit that comes with the sport.

TBC: Why did you pick Butler?

SBS: I picked Butler because of the environment within the coaches and the players. Their emphasis [is] on personal development and not just to win games, but [to] develop you as a player.

TBC: What are differences between club soccer and college soccer?

SBS: The speed of play, the personnel, the way you play and the rigor of the season. There’s so many different aspects that are different.

TBC: Why did you become a defensive player?

SBS: My physicality and my ability to just go and win the ball in the air. I’m [also] a hard tackler.

TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer memory?

SBS: Playing when I was itty bitty, rec soccer with my friends. Those were pretty good times.

TBC: Do you have a favorite soccer player that you like?

SBS: I really like Abby Dahlkemper. 

TBC: What are you most looking forward to this season?

SBS: Competing in the Big East and the environment of some of those good schools, the whole atmosphere.

TBC: What is your favorite movie?

SBS: My favorite movie is Prisoners with Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman.