In her first few weeks here, sophomore film major Casey Whalen has used her skills on the field to help the Emerson women's soccer team reach its 7-3-0 record.,”For one transfer student from Goucher College in Baltimore, Md., soccer was a way to find a home at Emerson.

In her first few weeks here, sophomore film major Casey Whalen has used her skills on the field to help the Emerson women's soccer team reach its 7-3-0 record.

Head Coach Jason Tassinari said Whalen is a gifted player.

"The first thing you look at is that she's special," Tassinari said. "[She] brings energy [and] is very skilled."

Whalen said she does her best to help the team in any way she can.

"I bring qualities to the team which I hope they benefit from," Whalen said. "Endurance is probably one of my strongest points. And, as coach [Tassinari] has said, I see the field well."

Whalen also brings intensity to the team up by playing as hard as she can.

Whalen said playing for Emerson has been a thrilling opportunity for her. She has been energized about what she can do to support the Lions and has benefited from her fellow players.

"I feed off my teammates," Whalen said. "My position as a forward is based on what the team does behind me. They get me the ball [and] they are amazing at it."

Playing with more skilled teammates is one of the reasons Whalen wanted to transfer to Emerson, Tassinari said.

Senior broadcast journalism major and co-captain Tina Danforth said that Whalen has been a welcomed member to the squad.

"Casey has been great," she said. "She's got amazing skill and she's a great addition."

Danforth went on to say that women's soccer has been striving for better offense, which Whalen brings to the pitch.

Three weeks ago, she was awarded the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Player of the Week honor after scoring two goals in a 7-1 victory over Eastern Nazarene College.

"It is definitely an honor having a team to support you and get you to this point so quickly," she said. "It's a great feeling."

While she feels as though she is catching on quickly, Whalen said she still notices weak spots that she has to work on. She said she knows, however, that her teammates are ready to help her out.

"I was nervous in the beginning trying to find a place on the team," Whalen said. "Fortunately, every girl on the team is unselfish and our focus has been what is best for the team. They have taught me what I need to know and got me where I need to be."

It may come as no surprise that, for as long as she can remember, Whalen has been playing soccer.

"I [have] been playing since I was eight," Whalen said. "I have played a lot of positions including defense midfield, and for the past two years I played forward. There are always improvements that need to be made and I am willing to make them to contribute to this team."

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