Freshmen Kaitlyn Clark, Savannah Trujillo and Alli Magaletta have seen the most minutes among newcomers on a Missouri soccer squad that is now 9-2-2 on the season. The three Missouri natives have each played in all 13 games, and each have scored two goals apiece for the Tigers. The Maneater had the three freshmen answer ten questions about their college experience now that they’re over halfway through their rookie seasons.

**Why did you choose Mizzou?**

_Clark:_ When I visited, it felt like home, even though I only live two hours away. Also, it’s nice having my sister (Kaysie Clark) here. That makes it so much better.

_Trujillo:_ I chose Mizzou obviously for the academics, but I also loved the big campus. I loved being two hours away from home, so it’s not too far of a drive. I loved the team here. Everyone was so welcoming when I came and they made me feel at home. I love being here.

_Magaletta:_ It’s close to home. I knew a couple of players on the team, and it seemed like they had a really close soccer family.

**What is your prospective major?**

_Clark:_ Health sciences. I want to be a nurse.

_Trujillo:_ I haven’t decided on a major yet, but I think I’m going to go into sports psychology or sports medicine.

_Magaletta:_ Somewhere in the health sciences field.

**Which of your classes is your favorite so far?**

_Clark:_ My art appreciation class. It’s really interesting. It has nothing to do with health sciences — what I’m going into — but it’s a good start to college.

_Trujillo:_ My favorite class is probably my intimate relationships class. It goes into detail on why we are in relationships and why we need to be in relationships for us to live.

_Magaletta:_ Probably biology. I like science. I’m a nerd.

**Were you anxious at all coming into college?**

_Clark:_ Yes, I was anxious, but I was very nervous as well. I did not know what to expect. But I’ve really settled in here.

_Trujillo:_ Yeah, I was definitely anxious — anxious to be here, but also anxious to get out on the field with all the new girls and make a mark here on the season.

_Magaletta:_ Yeah, definitely. Coming up in the summer was nerve-wracking, especially for soccer because you had to be super fit.

**What do you miss most at home?**

_Clark:_ I probably miss my parents’ home-cooked meals the most. They cook really good meals.

_Trujillo:_ The food. I miss the food at home a lot. Family dinners, Sunday dinners, stuff like that.

_Magaletta:_ I would have to say home-cooked meals. Those are the best.

**How is the food at Mizzou?**

_Clark:_ It’s alright. It’s not too bad.

_Trujillo:_ It’s really good. We eat at the MATC (Missouri Athletic Training Complex) for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and they pretty much give us whatever we want. It’s a good deal.

_Magaletta:_ It’s good. And MATC always treats us well. We just eat a lot, so it’s pretty good. I can’t complain.

**How do you balance school and collegiate soccer?**

_Clark:_ Knowing when to prepare myself — whether it’s for a game or a test. Just managing my time as best as I can.

_Trujillo:_ It’s definitely tough. You’re tired all the time, but also you have to crack down on your work because if you don’t do well, you can’t play on the field. So you might as well do both of them and make the most out of your time here.

_Magaletta:_ You get your work done as soon as possible and in advance if you’re going out of town.

**What has been the biggest difference between high school and college thus far?**

_Clark:_ The competition level. The first couple games during preseason, I was very shocked to see the level that everyone was at and it was a great feeling to come to because I knew everybody was going to work hard and be competitive. That’s what I liked.

_Trujillo:_ In high school there are some girls who work really hard, but not everyone works as hard as you’d like them to. Here at Mizzou, we all work hard for each other because we’re a team.

_Magaletta:_ I would honestly say the girls. I knew they were a close-knit family, but now that I’m in it, our team is just so together and tight. That definitely exceeded my expectations.

**What has been your biggest adjustment?**

_Clark:_ Probably knowing my way around campus. In high school it wasn’t as hard to get around.

_Trujillo:_ Being away from my family, and finding that family here, which is my team.

_Magaletta:_ Definitely the competition. It’s always so aggressive.

**What were you most afraid of coming into college?**

_Clark:_ Not knowing where my classes were, and for the soccer part, not making mistakes. I didn’t want to mess up.

_Trujillo:_ I’m a short girl (5-foot-3), so all the defensive backs on the other teams are all about 5’10” or 5’11”, so I’ve got some size to go up against. It was a big change from high school to college.

_Magaletta:_ Doing my laundry. I can’t do my laundry, so that was difficult.