Tag / #WomensHistoryMonth

by Bryan Cook

ScoreStream’s #NextLadyLegend Finalist: Alexa Russo

 We are excited to introduce you to our next finalist from the #NextLadyLegends campaign! We will continue to release interviews for each finalist, and beginning the week of March 20th YOU will have your chance to vote for our NATIONAL WINNER! Read more about this campaign here, read ALL of our finalist interviews here and check out the action on twitter using #NextLadyLegend.

 

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In the past, the bulk of ScoreStream’s #NextLadyLegend finalists were signed, committed, and just about ready to leave for the college of their choice. However that isn’t the case for our next finalist. Only a sophomore at Tampa Catholic, Alexa Russo has already accumulated multiple Division I offers by regularly proving to be a unique athlete. In her freshman year, she posted an impressive .542 batting average with 3 home runs and was named the MVP of her class! As a Sophomore, she is currently batting .667 with 1 home run. We were recently able to speak to Alexa’s High School coach, Jackie Hirschfeld. She described Alexa as, “A natural born leader both on and off the field…that has been flawless this year.” After talking with her coach, we knew we had to catch up with Alexa and inquire with her about the pandemonium she is creating!

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SS: How did you begin playing sports?

AR: I began playing baseball when I was about four years old. Around that time, my mom also enrolled me in a ballet class. After that class, I had to break the news to her that I wanted to be on the field and not in the studio. My father and uncle both played professional baseball, so naturally I grew up around the sport and was always surrounded by ball players. I played for my dad and uncle in the their travel-ball league until I was in the 7th grade. After that I made the switch to playing softball.

SS: When you think of Women’s History Month what comes to mind?

AR: I think of the all iconic women we know today. Each one of them fought for women’s rights during a time when the odds were definitely stacked against them. Because of the strides they made, women in today’s world have the opportunity to make a larger impact in society than ever before.

SS: Favorite professional female athlete?

AR: Jennie Finch! She is my favorite female athlete because she has worked extremely hard and is deserving for all of her accolades. I really look up to her because she knew how to control the game and she was the first women’s softball player that I watched compete.

SS: What lesson have you learned from playing that you carry along in every day life?

AR: You need to work hard for anything you want in life. I always try to remember that I can do anything I set my mind to! Especially when the odds are against me, I just remember to keep fighting. You can always come back and win if you are down.

SS: It’s game day, what is your go to method for getting in the zone?

AR: I try to stay loose, have fun, and hang out with my teammates. Sometimes there can be a lot of pressure associated with playing sports. I just try to have fun and motivate my teammates in anyway I can.

 SS: Is there any emoji that describes you and your teammates?

 AR: 🔥😂 My teammates and I are always laughing and having a great time together. We do our best to stay lit and as a unit we make a lot of priceless memories both on and off the field!

You can follow Alexa on twitter @alexarusssoo and check out her softball highlights, games, scores, for the next few years on ScoreStream

Want to follow high school and club sports in real-time? Download the ScoreStream app for free here: Itunes or Google Play

by Linnea Wikander

ScoreStream’s #NextLadyLegend Finalist: Haley Brown

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We are excited to introduce you to our next finalist from the #NextLadyLegends campaign! We will continue to release interviews for each finalist, and beginning the week of March 20th YOU will have your chance to vote for our NATIONAL WINNER! Read more about this campaign here, read ALL finalist interviews here and check out the action on twitter using #NextLadyLegend.

ScoreStream is honored to present the next finalist in our Next Lady Legends contest, Haley Brown from Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek, CA. Brown is a relentless attacking center-midfielder who led her team as captain to a DAL league title in her senior season with a 16-2-1 record, achieving 27 goals and 11 assists. She has collected both a North Coast Section championship and runner-up title, in addition to an all-league MVP honor during her successful high school career. She is best known for her unstoppable header goals, that allow her to jump above the rest and place the ball into the corner of the net on crucial set plays. Brown will be continuing her athletic and academic career at Cal State Fullerton next year, where she hopes to push herself and work hard to help the team win a Big West Championship. We were lucky enough to score a Q&A with this soccer superstar, check out what she has to say!

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SS: How and when did you begin playing soccer ⚽️ ?

HB: I started playing recreational soccer in first grade. My mom signed me up so I could have something to do, and I absolutely fell in love with the game.

SS: What lessons have you learned from playing that you carry along in everyday life?

HB: Soccer has taught me to never make excuses. Yes, there are times when I don’t want to go running because I’m feeling lazy, but I know that the girls that I will be playing against are out there working their hardest even if they are feeling lazy too. In school, I might feel lazy when it comes to completing an assignment or studying for a test. Rather than making an excuse, I just do it so that when it comes time for the test, I don’t regret the lack of studying I did.

SS: As a female athlete, do you think there are any misconceptions about women’s sports?

HB: I don’t think people realize how intense and physical soccer games are. I think a lot of people believe that boys games are harder, but ultimately they are the same game. Boys who play sports might be larger and stronger, but girls soccer games are very physically and mentally demanding.

SS: What is your go to method when creating a scoring opportunity out on the field?

HB: I can usually score header goals off of free-kicks and crosses because of my height. I like scoring off crosses, but I can also score once in a while off long shots outside the 18 yard box. I like to assist goals too by sending good through balls to fast forwards who can finish them in the net!

SS: If you were going to choose one emoji to describe yourself, what would it be and why?

HB: I would describe myself as the red hot chili pepper emoji because my hair is red and I’m fiery and spicy like a pepper! Hot Pepper on Apple iOS 10.2

SS: What woman do you think is changing her sport?

HB: I think Carli Lloyd from the US Women’s National Team is changing her sport, because she is a strong woman who has earned respect for her ability to excel in the game of soccer. When she makes big time plays in big time moments, people aren’t focusing on the fact that she is a woman, but are in awe of her incredible athletic talents as an individual.

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You can follow Haley on twitter @haleybrown123. Don’t forget to keep up with her games, scores, and highlights when she plays soccer at Cal State Fullerton next year on ScoreStream!

Want to follow high school and club sports in real-time? Download the ScoreStream app for free here: Itunes or Google Play

by Bryan Cook

ScoreStream’s #NextLadyLegend Finalist: Danielle Lung

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We are elated to introduce you to our next finalist from the #NextLadyLegends campaign! We will continue to release interviews for each finalist every few days, so check back in! Beginning the week of March 20th YOU will have your chance to vote for our NATIONAL WINNER! Read more about this campaign here, read ALL of our finalist interviews here and check out the action on twitter using #NextLadyLegend.

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Imagine yourself stepping up to the plate in the sweltering heat of California’s central valley. The air is dry as the sun bears down upon you. Your eyes struggle to focus on the pitcher as the heat transforms into waves that blur your vision. You coil up and prepare to swing as the pitcher begins her motion. All of a sudden, BAM, you hear a smack against the back of the catchers mitt. The umpire calls a STRIKE, then another, and in a short time you’re nothing more than another tick in Danielle Lung’s strikeout count. On any given day, this is the real life scenario for batters that face Lung in the pitchers circle. Last year she averaged 10 strikeouts a game and had a staggering 1.05 era. In between innings, ScoreStream was able to catch up with the Clovis high school star and ask her a few questions in our next #NextLadyLegend‘s Finalist’s Q&A.

SS: How did you begin playing sports?

DL: I began playing sports when I was about 5 years old. My mom enrolled me in an indoor soccer league and ever since then I have been infatuated with sports! I’ve played soccer, volleyball, basketball, track, and softball. Needless to say, I liked softball the most so I stuck with it.

SS: What do you think of when you think of Women’s History Month♀?

DL: When I think of women’s rights, I reflect on how much more women are allowed to do today compared to in the past. I also think about how women today are constantly accomplishing amazing things that people in the past never imagined we could do.

SS: What players or coaches have most influenced you to be the player you are today?

DL: Jeff Theisen! He is the coach that I would say has without a doubt influenced me to most! He was my soccer coach and asked me one day if I was interested in trying softball. I decided to give it a try and loved it! He also coached softball and became my coach shortly after. From there he was responsible for getting me into pitching.

SS: If you were going to choose one emoji to describe yourself/team, what would it be and why?

DL: I would have to choose 😼  because we are the cougars and we are intimidating, Rarrrr!!!

You can follow Danielle on twitter @DanielleLung and check out her softball highlights on hudl. Don’t forget to keep up with her games for Clovis High School, scores, and highlights this year on ScoreStream.

Want to follow high school and club sports in real-time? Download the ScoreStream app for free here: Itunes or Google Play