SOCCER AMERICA interviews top-ranked Notre Dame’s Kerri Hanks, who will go down as one of the great strikers in the history of women’s college soccer. The 2006 Hermann Trophy winner ranks 17th in NCAA Division I history with 208 points (74 goals and 60 assists) and is as one of only four players ever to post 70 goals and 60 assists. She says the Irish are finding ways to finish early and late, making them a favorite to return to the Women’s College Cup.

KERRI HANKS:
College: Notre Dame
Class: Senior
Position: Forward
Hometown: Allen, Texas
High School: Allen
Youth Club: Dallas Texans
Major: Sociology

Why your team will win the College Cup?
That is one of our goals and we have the potential to do it but we have to take one game at a time. We’re a well-rounded team. We have a great goalkeeper and a solid backline. We have good players up top. We find ways to finish whether it’s early in the game or the last two minutes.

Biggest area of improvement needed to win College Cup?
We need to work on keeping the ball. We need to play our game and focus on ourselves. If we play how we know how to play, we’ll be there.

Greatest asset as a player?
As a frontrunner, I have a talent for putting the ball away. I’m a good goal scorer. Lately, I’ve been more of a playmaker and it’s helped us out. It takes the pressure off me to score and opens up chances for the other girls.

Biggest weakness as a player?
I get down on myself for mistakes. I’m my biggest weakness. I get caught up in doing things perfectly.

Best advice you received when you entered college?
“Go out there and have fun.” I knew the college game was going to be different from the club game. I knew it would be hard. But my family and coaches told me to go have fun.

Advice you gave your freshmen about Coach Waldrum?
We have three girls on the team from my club team, the Dallas Texans. Coach Waldrum has a different style than our club coach. The best thing to do is practice hard and give 110%. If you do that you’ll improve and get better.

Pregame ritual?
I don’t have one. I just take it easy and think about the game.

Postgame ritual?
Nope.

Favorite hangout when you’re back home?
I like going to the lake with the family. We take a boat and a couple of Sea-doos down to Texoma. We go to the beach and ski and wakeboard.

Favorite hangout on campus or in town?
Every Wednesday I go to the Decio building. They have the best Chicken Caesar wraps.

Fondest memories-playing high school or youth soccer?
The best times were when I played club. I’d been with those girls since I was 10. We’d have practice from 7-9 p.m. so we’d all show up at 6:30 p.m. and hang out and gossip before practice. Those were the best times. I played up with the 85’s. My senior year we won nationals.

18 or 21-what should the drinking age be?
I think 18. If you can fight for your country you should be able to make a choice on drinking.

Obama or McCain-whom do you support?
I don’t know enough. I have to find out more information. Right now, I’m for no one.