Jenifer Anzivino: Scarlet Sky

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Rutgers women’s soccer program is arguably one of the best and next contenders for the top four positions in the NCAA. They continue to bring in and produce very talented players from all over who represent not only their team but their country, for example Carli Lloyd scoring the winning goal in the Olympics. Two teammates from the Class of 2010 will embark on their journey to play Women’s Professional Soccer. One of these players who will continue her soccer career in her home state ,New Jersey, is Jenifer Anzivino. Anzivino has received many accolades for her great performances as a Scarlet Knight. In her senior year she received First Team All-BIG EAST honors, NSCAA All-America Second Team honoree, was named to the NSCAA All-Northeast Region First Team, First Team ECAC All-Star, earned Third Team honors for the 2009 Women’s College Soccer Team of the Season and was named team captain during preseason. An interesting fact about Jenifer Anzivino is that she tied for 9th all-time in RU history in game-winning goals with five goals and in her senior year she played a good amount of the time in the backline. Not only could she defend, she could score when it counted. This gifted versatile player was able to do everything whenever it was needed and that ladies and gentlemen is a sign of a great player. Now that she leaves Rutgers, the WPS Champion Sky Blue FC jumped at the opportunity to have this player; they traded with Philadelphia Independence for her. Anzivino has showed excitement for being able to stay and play at Yurcak Field:

“The best part of being traded was now I will be able to play at Yurcak Field again. I’m so surprised! It is really an overwhelming feeling.”- Jenifer Anzivino (from Rutgers Athletic Website)

We were able to interview Jenifer and ask her some questions about Rutgers and her future career with Women’s Professional Soccer.

In your senior year at Rutgers you Received First Team All-BIG EAST honors, NSCAA All-America Second Team honoree, Named to the NSCAA All-Northeast Region First Team,First Team ECAC All-Star, and earned Third Team honors for the 2009 Women’s College Soccer Team of the Season. How do you feel about receiving all those honors?
Jenifer Anzivino: Well I think that all of them are a great honor. I really had wanted to make an All American Team at some point during my college career, so the fact that I received it my senior year really made it that much more exciting.

Losing to South Carolina in the NCAA Championship, Do you feel like you guys could have continued on through the NCAA tournament in your senior year?
Jenifer Anzivino: I definitely think that game could have gone either way. Towards the end of the season the 5 major injuries we suffered throughout the year really started to catch up to us. I personally think we were just struggling physically by the time we played South Carolina.

During the season, you were placed in a defensive position but you were put up top for important games to score. Do you think it is a great asset to be able to play 2/3rds of the field? Is being versatile a big part of your playing style?
Jenifer Anzivino: Being versatile has always been one advantage I have had. I was just willing to play where ever I was needed given the injuries we had suffered.

What are your strengths and what are somethings you would like to improve on?
Jenifer Anzivino: I would have to say that my biggest strength is my versatility and my technical ability. My fitness is always something I need to improve on and also my mental toughness.

If you could sum up your experience at Rutgers how would you?
Jenifer Anzivino: Amazing. I honestly think that if I had went to another college that I would totally have missed out an overall amazing experience. This team has become my family and it is going to be so hard to not be a part of it next year.

What was your best experience while playing at Rutgers?
Jenifer Anzivino: My best experience at Rutgers happened this year. When we lost 5 key players it could have been easy to just get upset over it and call it a year, but this team refused to do that. Watching players step up every game when another injury had occurred just was so motivational. Every player honestly played a key role whether it was girls on the sidelines or players on the field, we all decided that we were still going to be successful and we were going to do it together.

What are somethings that you will miss about Rutgers and playing for Coach Crooks?
Jenifer Anzivino: The team. I have never become so close to a group of girls and I will honestly miss just spending everyday with them.

You and your teammate Erin Guthrie were selected in the 2010 Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) Draft held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pa. Guthrie was selected by the FC Gold Pride and you ,originally chosen in the sixth round by the Philadelphia Independence, were traded to Sky Blue. What are your feelings on continuing your career in the WPS and your teammate being selected also. How would you feel if you were to play against Erin Guthrie?
Jenifer Anzivino: I would have to say that if I played against Erin it would be extremely weird. She has been on my team since I was a freshman in high school. I think so highly of her and just would honestly never want to play against her because I know how good she is and how tough she would make my life by being a part of the opposing team.

What would your last note be to Crooks before you graduate and go on to play for Sky Blue?
Jenifer Anzivino: I would just want to thank him. Glenn has done so much for me in my four years and I really do respect him so much. He has not only been a great coach but he has been a great person to go to with any problems.

Will you visit The RU Women’s team next year and cheer them on?
Jenifer Anzivino: YES!! Since I am going to be training hard for a spot on the Sky Blue roster I had decided to not take the number of classes I need to graduate on time. The great advantage of that is I will be up at Rutgers

As you can see, Jenifer is not only excited about playing Women’s Professional Soccer but also sticking around to cheer on her college, her team, her family. We would like to thank Jenifer for doing the interview with us at boxofmess.com and we would like to Congratulate her teammate, Erin Guthrie, one the honors she has received this year and her selection to FC Pride.

Note- All interviews are done through Facebook/Email/Myspace/Call/Text/Etc. All people are REAL. No fakes here!