On The Pitch With Ely Allen
October 26, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 26, 2005
Sophomore forward Ely Allen helped UW's offense get back on track at home last weekend, scoring a goal and assisting a second in the Huskies' 3-0 victory over Stanford. Allen, last year's Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year, looks to lead UW into its final Pac-10 road trip this week. Before the team left for Southern California, Allen sat down to chat with GoHuskies.com correspondent C.J. Bowles.
GoHuskies.com: You were named the Gatorade High School State Player of the Year as a senior in high school and then last season you were honored with the Pac-10 Newcomer of the Year award. What do you do for an encore to those two seasons?
Ely Allen: "I've thought about that every now and then. Those are two big accomplishments one after the other and people expect that you're going to do it again. I just have to go in and play like I played before. It's not necessarily all about points and goals. I think I can show what kind of a player I am without that."
GH: Do you think you've done a good job of doing that this year?
EA: "Yeah, I'd say so. At times I probably could have done a little bit better. We have three games left in the Pac-10, so I'll try to impress them with what I have."
GH: Which of those two big awards meant more to you?
EA: "I'd say that the Pac-10 award was more of an honor. I don't really know what the Gatorade award involves, but the Pac-10 is full of top college players, so Pac-10 for sure."
GH: You scored a goal and were credited with an assist in the team's win against Stanford. What'd you do to make that kind of impact?
EA: "It was about time. I've been waiting to go off like that, it was just a matter of time. With a goal and an assist, I have confidence now for the rest of the season. Hopefully, in the next three games I'll pop some in."
GH: You guys were playing a man short for most of that game. Did the offense feel added responsibility to control the ball more to make up for the disadvantage?
EA: "Yes in a way, but to tell you the truth, we talked about it after the game and we really didn't notice that we were a man down. It felt like we were playing like normal."
GH: In the game before that against Cal, the team was shutout 2-0. How frustrating is that to not score?
EA: "I'd say that it happens. We had chances that we couldn't convert. When the defense plays great and you don't score a goal, it's frustrating for the defense and the offense. It goes both ways though and we both do our best."
GH: You missed a couple games earlier this season with a sore hip flexor. How did that injury occur?
EA: "I actually hurt it back in high school. During my junior year I was out for a good three months and I think I just tweaked it again. I'm starting to get like an old man like Leo (Totev). That guy is starting to get old and I think I'm starting to take over his responsibilities. I don't know what's going on."
GH: Now that you're a sophomore, have you taken any freshman under your wing to help bring along?
EA: "I'd say George John. He played on my club team at U-17 and U-18 with Brian Schmetzer, the Sounders coach. So we were pretty close and I kind of showed him the ropes."
GH: Halloween's on Monday, do you have your costume planned out?
EA: "My roommate Adam West shares his name with the actor who played Batman, so he's going to be Batman and I'm going to be Robin. We're going to find a Catwoman too. A good looking one."
GH: Clothing is listed as one of your interests in your bio. Would you consider pursuing a career as a male model after college?
EA: "I'm not going to go as far as Mike Chabala status, but I could make it."
GH: I also read from your last Q&A that you find actress/singer Lindsey Lohan attractive. Do you prefer the natural redheaded Lindsey or the new platinum blonde Lindsey?
EA: "I like the old Lindsey Lohan. I'm down with the red. The blonde is just not natural. I liked her better when she was kind of shy."
GH: Now to get back on track. With just five games left, what do you see this team doing come playoff time?
EA: "All the way baby."
