Wheaton College Athletics

The 2009 season will be Taryne Lee's senior season with the Thunder women's soccer program. Lee, the 2007 NSCAA Division III Player of the Year, will enter the season in second place on Wheaton's career goals list with 77. She is second on the all-time points list with 190 and third on the assists list with 36. Below is an interview with the three-time All-American.

Q: Why did you choose to attend and play soccer at Wheaton?

A: God chose Wheaton for me. After my official visit, there was something about the girls on the team and the coaching staff that was very appealing. All throughout high school and my club soccer experience, my parents' goal and my goal was to play Division 1 soccer. Division 1 schools have their perks and there are some very strong programs, but Wheaton was still a high level soccer program and I couldn’t let the D3 “name” get in the way of attending the school. Slowly the Lord changed my heart and made it clear to me that Wheaton was the place He wanted me to glorify him through the sport of soccer and in my daily life, alongside coaches and teammates who would do the same.

Q: What is your favorite thing about playing soccer at Wheaton?

A: I cannot choose just one thing! I would say the people who make up Wheaton Soccer. My incredible teammates throughout the years, Pete Felske, Conga, Cesar Gomez and Chris Rice. The supportive fans: my amazing family, peers, faculty and staff, and the community surrounding Wheaton College. The support is endless and without each part, we, the women's soccer team, would not be who we are without everyone else. No matter where we go/travel, there are always Wheaton Fans!

Q: What do you appreciate about playing for coach Felske?

A: Pete invests. He puts so much time and energy into his players, when we are willing to be invested in. Pete is the Head Coach so there has to be a respect and fear in that position. However, he is a leader and an influence to a team of women. He has his door open to any one at any time and he invests in you from the time you enter Wheaton to years beyond graduation. Pete wants the best for our team. Even when the advice may seem insane or not what we want to hear, he has wisdom and it’s worth listening to!

Q: What is your favorite soccer memory so far in your time at Wheaton?

A: Again, it is hard to choose just one. The first national championship was incredible, our trip to Brazil and Paraguay was priceless, but the ONE memory I would say is my favorite memory is my sophomore year and specifically winning Nationals at Disney World. I am so thankful and proud of the groups of girls that made up that team. Looking back on that season, playing each game until we were utterly exhausted and not letting a team beat us was unique. I was privileged to play with a group of girls that were so devoted to a sport & committed to getting the job done, yet filled with so much love of the Lord and willing to express that in action and in words. I learned a lot that year from everyone on the team and will cherish that year forever.