The San Diego State women’s soccer team is currently ranked No. 6 in the country after finishing the season 17- 1-1 and undefeated in Mountain West Conference play. The Daily Aztec’s Ryan Schuler caught up with senior midfielder Tiffany Hurst to talk about the No. 6 ranking, her favorite movie of all-time and the highlight of her athletic career.
The Daily Aztec: How does it feel to be ranked No. 6 in the country?
Tiffany Hurst: It’s kind of surreal at the moment. It hasn’t quite hit me that we’re No. 6. It’s pretty unbelievable and pretty amazing.
DA: At the start of the season, did you expect the team to be this good?
TH: No, I didn’t at all. I knew we were going to be a good team, but I never thought we were going to be this good.
DA: How far in the postseason do you think this team can go?
TH: This has been the first year that I ever truly felt that we can make it to the NCAA championship and win it.
DA: What makes this team different than past teams you’ve played on at SDSU?
TH: Our chemistry and motivation. Everyone just came back fit in the spring and in the fall. And this is the first year that everybody came back early during the summer, so we were motivated to work hard and win on our own without having the coaches there.
DA: What sport would you play if you didn’t play soccer?
TH: I would say football because I think it would be fun to tackle someone. I think I would play cornerback, but I’m not tall enough for that. But I want to tackle someone.
DA: Why did you choose to attend and play for SDSU?
TH: I came down here all the time for soccer—about twice a year. Obviously, San Diego has perfect weather and is in a perfect location. My big reason was I think you have to go with a coach you feel comfortable with and who is really going to be there for you. He (Mike Friesen) has done a lot for me over the years, more than I can ever ask for. He was a big part of it.
DA: What is your all-time favorite movie?
TH: “Sweet Home Alabama.” I’m a country girl. I can watch it over and over. I have seen that movie over 100 times and I can tell you every line to it.
DA: What is your favorite band or artist?
TH: Garth Brooks because he is old- school country. I grew up listening to him. It hits the soul.
DA: What is your favorite holiday and why?
TH: It would have to be Christmas. It’s not because of the presents, but more because of the cold weather. I love to snuggle and watch Christmas movies. One of my favorite things is drinking hot cocoa, watching a Christmas movie with my mom.
DA: What’s one thing on your bucket list?
TH: I really want to go skydiving. It’s just that thrill. You’re flying.
DA: What would your last meal on earth be?
TH: Cornbread and milk. You take the cornbread and kind of crumble it up and pour in milk and eat it like cereal. It’s amazing. Ask anyone in my family. It’s our favorite food.
DA: If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would they be?
TH: Luke Bryan (American country singer), of course. Denzel Washington because he is my favorite actor and Brian Wilson (San Francisco Giants closer).
DA: What is the highlight of your athletic career?
TH: I think this is it right now. Even in 2009, when we won the conference tournament, we have never been this successful. In a sense, we have come so far. We lost to Stanford (University), the national champions, 1-0, and we tied Santa Clara (University), which we lost 5-0 last year. So, I definitely think this is the highlight and I have done pretty well this year individually.
