Get To Know: Kaylene Pang
February 13, 2018 | Women's Soccer
As the year went on, Kaylene Pang's play got stronger and stronger, with the freshman working her way into rotation as a fullback. Against Washington State and Arizona, Pang played over 50 minutes, two of the four games in which she reached that mark.
What does it feel like to play at Husky Soccer Stadium?
Pang: I am always excited to play at Husky Stadium under the lights and with thousands of people in the stands. There is a rush when playing for the University of Washington.
What is something the coaching staff has taught you off the field?
Pang: The coaching staff emphasizes all-around success on the field, in the classroom, as a person. They really want to have passionate people that are dedicated to all aspects of their life.
What is it like to play in the Pac-12 Conference?
Pang: I am excited and honored to play in one of the best conferences in the USA. Each game is a battle, which is intense, but really exciting.
What is your favorite thing about living in Seattle?
Pang: I love how there are so many lakes to swim in, forests to hike through, and a huge city to explore. I think that Seattle has something for everyone, which is really unique.
What are your favorite things to do in the summer in Seattle?
Pang: I love paddle boarding around some of the lakes here! I also love trying out put all of the cool restaurants and cuisines that Seattle has to offer.
What are some of your earliest memories of playing soccer?
Pang: I remember playing on my recreational soccer team "The Purple Marshmallows" with my dad being my coach! My team always celebrated every game regardless of win or lose with orange slices and popcorn.
Who is your biggest inspiration in why you play soccer?
Pang: My biggest inspiration for playing soccer is my family. They have been so supportive over the years with trying to make me the best player I can be, and so I feel as if I owe it to them to keep trying to grow as a player.
What do you love most about playing soccer?
Pang: I love being on a big team where there are bigger stakes than yourself. I love how that translates into a bunch of people committed and dedicated to each other.
Who were your favorite players growing up?
Pang: My favorite players were Brandi Chastain and Mia Hamm. Brandi always brought so much passion and I admired how she stood out as a defender, which isn't easy to do. I also loved Mia because she was a legendary goal scorer that made me excited and inspired to be an athlete.
Can you talk about some of the experiences that have been opened up to you through the sport?
Pang: Getting to play with the women's Sounders WPSL team in my junior year of high school allowed me to play against professional NWSL, team Kansas City FC. I got to play against Sydney Leroux, Heather O'Reilly and Becky Sauerbrun which was so cool because I realized that I could compete at a higher level.
What does it feel like to play at Husky Soccer Stadium?
Pang: I am always excited to play at Husky Stadium under the lights and with thousands of people in the stands. There is a rush when playing for the University of Washington.
What is something the coaching staff has taught you off the field?
Pang: The coaching staff emphasizes all-around success on the field, in the classroom, as a person. They really want to have passionate people that are dedicated to all aspects of their life.
What is it like to play in the Pac-12 Conference?
Pang: I am excited and honored to play in one of the best conferences in the USA. Each game is a battle, which is intense, but really exciting.
What is your favorite thing about living in Seattle?
Pang: I love how there are so many lakes to swim in, forests to hike through, and a huge city to explore. I think that Seattle has something for everyone, which is really unique.
What are your favorite things to do in the summer in Seattle?
Pang: I love paddle boarding around some of the lakes here! I also love trying out put all of the cool restaurants and cuisines that Seattle has to offer.
What are some of your earliest memories of playing soccer?
Pang: I remember playing on my recreational soccer team "The Purple Marshmallows" with my dad being my coach! My team always celebrated every game regardless of win or lose with orange slices and popcorn.
Who is your biggest inspiration in why you play soccer?
Pang: My biggest inspiration for playing soccer is my family. They have been so supportive over the years with trying to make me the best player I can be, and so I feel as if I owe it to them to keep trying to grow as a player.
What do you love most about playing soccer?
Pang: I love being on a big team where there are bigger stakes than yourself. I love how that translates into a bunch of people committed and dedicated to each other.
Who were your favorite players growing up?
Pang: My favorite players were Brandi Chastain and Mia Hamm. Brandi always brought so much passion and I admired how she stood out as a defender, which isn't easy to do. I also loved Mia because she was a legendary goal scorer that made me excited and inspired to be an athlete.
Can you talk about some of the experiences that have been opened up to you through the sport?
Pang: Getting to play with the women's Sounders WPSL team in my junior year of high school allowed me to play against professional NWSL, team Kansas City FC. I got to play against Sydney Leroux, Heather O'Reilly and Becky Sauerbrun which was so cool because I realized that I could compete at a higher level.
Players Mentioned
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