The Ross Report - Aubree Southwick

Christina Ross was a three-year letterwinner for the Aztec softball team from 2006-08. Last month, Ross became the second All-American in program history when she was named to the Easton Second Team. Over her career, Ross twice earned MWC Pitcher of the Year honors and was a three-time all-league selection. Ross is the career SDSU record holder in solo shutouts (23), shutouts (tied - 28) and strikeouts (612), despite playing just three seasons for the Aztecs. Ross is currently interning in the Aztec media relations office.

SAN DIEGO -- It's hard to imagine that a freshman anchored a defense that led the San Diego State women's soccer team to a second place finish in the Mountain West Conference, its best showing since 2000. But that is exactly what goalkeeper Aubree Southwick accomplished in 2007.

The Danville, Calif., native captured second-team freshman All-America honors as announced by SoccerBuzz.com earlier this year. With the award, Southwick became the first Aztec freshman to garner All-America accolades since Kim Castellanos in 2000.

The San Ramon Valley High alumna started all 20 games for SDSU, recording 106 saves and a 0.90 goals-against average. Southwick's save total established a new SDSU record, while her 10 shutouts rank third on the school's all-time single-season list.

In November, Southwick made Mountain West history when she became the first player to capture two individual postseason awards when she was named the league's defensive player of the year and freshman of the year. She also received a pair of conference co-defensive player of the week honors during the regular season.

With Southwick between the posts, the Aztecs will look to make a run for the conference title in 2008.

Ross Report:

Click here to watch video

On why she chose San Diego State:
I chose San Diego State because I love the location. San Diego's a great place to be, there's a lot to do and I also felt that it's somewhere soccer-wise I could have an impact on a growing team.

On how she is the only player in MWC history to earn two individual postseason awards and how last season was for her:
Last season was great. It was fun to be a freshman on the team and get to know everyone. Last year we did pretty well, we got second in Mountain West Conference. From there, everyone was a little afraid of our team when we came into the conference tournament. We ended up losing in the semis to BYU, but from here we can only go up and I'm really excited about next season.

On her goals for next season:
This season my personal goal will definitely be to help the team out as much as I can from goals being scored and organizing defense and stepping up in a leadership position. I think our team goal is definitely going to be to win Mountain West Conference and make it to the NCAA Tournament this year.

On how it was working with Coach Friesen his first year and how the team has improved:
(Coach) Friesen is great. Him, along with (assistant coach) Nat Gonzalez, have been great coaches and I've learned a lot from them. Friesen was one of the coaches that recruited me my junior year as an assistant coach and now, by being the head coach, he's definitely stepped up in the leadership position and has just been such a great role model, coach, and friend to all of us.

On how assistant coach Nat Gonzalez has helped her improve between the posts:
Nat Gonzalez is honestly the best goalkeeper trainer I've ever had. He's not only someone I go to for advice, but he has been someone that's been great to goof around with on and off the field and has just been there for us. If I'm having a bad game, he'll pull me aside at halftime and it's great to have that rock to go to.

On her leadership roles on the team after one year of collegiate soccer:
As a freshman it was definitely intimidating coming in and filling such a large role as the starting goalkeeper. I feel a little bit more comfortable now going into my second season with the leadership role. I want to be a leader on and off the field, and looked as someone to go to for advice as well as to be an organizer and a leader on the field.

On what she has been doing to prepare for next season:
I've been working out almost every day, running and lifting. I've been working out with the team and just getting ready for preseason.

On what fans can expect from the Aztecs in 2008:
We're definitely counting on winning Mountain West Conference. We're a really young team so we're only going to improve.