Sept. 9, 2004

Gonzaga University senior women's soccer player Walker Loseno is fresh off of competing in her first Olympic Games as a member of the Greek National Team. She spent a few minutes with GoZags.com to talk about her Olympic experience and what she thinks the 2004 season might have in store for the Bulldogs women's soccer program.

Q: You recently returned from playing in your first Olympics as part of the Greek National team. Describe that experience for us?

I'm not sure I can really put it in words. The whole Olympic experience was amazing. The atmosphere was amazing. Being with and meeting so many athletes from so many different countries and backgrounds was the best experience. It felt like one big family in the village.

Q: As a member of the Greek National team you faced off against Team USA during the first match of the Olympics. There is a picture of you going against Mia Hamm during that match, what was it like playing against one of the world's best soccer players?

I have to admit that I was pretty nervous at first. It took me until about 5 minutes into the game to calm down and just play soccer. There was one moment that I remember I had the ball and I knew Mia Hamm was bearing down on me and I just ended up kicking it out of bounds.

Q: Who were a couple of the more famous athletes or people that you had a chance to meet during your Olympic experience?

I met most of the US Soccer Team. I spoke a lot with Brandi Chastain since she is a WCC alum. I met Christian Ronaldo, a member of the Portugese National Team that got second (losing to Greece!) in EURO 2004. I met Saviola, an Argentian soccer player. I spotted a lot of other athletes, but didn't meet them. Like, Micheal Johnson, Carl Lewis, Kerri Strug, Micheal Phelps, the US Softball Team. I even saw Al Roker at a Sports Illustrated party.

Q: Last question on the actual Olympics. Did you have a chance to participate in either the opening or closing ceremonies and if so describe what it felt like to walk into the stadium in Athens as a member of the host country squad?

Walker Loseno played in three matches for the Greek National Team during the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Unfortunately, we had a game in Crete the next day, so we couldn't go to the opening ceremonies. We watched it on T.V. at our hotel, but some of us did dress up in out opening ceremony outfits! I left to get back to GU on the 27th, so I missed the closing ceremonies as well.

Q: Now that you have returned to playing collegiate soccer, what are the major differences in the style or pace of the game that you have noticed?

It's not that much of a different game than college. I think it is just a lot of small things that makes the International game quicker, more technical and more physical. The one team that blew me away was Brazil. They were beyond anything I have ever played against. Their technical ability was phenomenal.

Q: The team is coming off a pretty successful season last year and now has high expectations for this season. What are your goals for this season both individually and as a team?

I think our main goal is to make it to the NCAA Tournament. Of course, in order to do that that means we have to win most of our non conference games, as well as a good number of conference matches.

Q: You have had the opportunity to play with a wide variety of players in your Gonzaga career including the school's top two goal scorers (Sara Streufert and Annie Hawkins). What makes both of those players' great goal scorers and what is different in their styles of play?

They are both great players. I think the thing they have in common is that the expect themselves to score every game and they are not afraid to take the risks needed. A lot of players think they are being selfish if they go ahead and take a shot themselves, but a lot of times that's what it takes to make things happen. I'm not sure what it was about Sara that made her a good goal scorer, her shots were always on. Annie has worked really hard to hone here technical abilities and it has really paid off for her. They both also have a lot of pure athletic ability.

Senior Walker Loseno has helped the Bulldogs post a 3-1-0 record to start the 2004 season.

Q: You scored the winning goal against Pepperdine last season to lift Gonzaga to its first win over a nationally ranked opponent. Would you say that is your biggest moment in school history or does something else stick out in your mind?

I think that whole weekend, beating LMU and Pepperdine was a big moment for GU. We broke a lot of records and had a lot of firsts last year. It was a big turning point for our program.

Q: Finally now that your college career is coming to a close, what does life have in store for Walker Loseno following Gonzaga?

Go to grad school for graphic design.