On Oct. 8, Kim LaVere '06 helped give the women's soccer team its first victory over Princeton since 1997 with a game-winning goal with just under 15 minutes left in the game. It was also the team's first Ivy League win of the season, and the co-captain sweeper was named Ivy League Player of the Week for her monumental role in the Princeton victory. LaVere already has three goals and is currently tied for the team lead with nine points. For that, she is the Herald's Athlete of the Week.
Herald: Who is your favorite athlete to watch?Lavere: I'm not an avid sports watcher. I enjoy watching soccer, especially Manchester United. Ruud van Nistelrooy is my favorite soccer player, but I have to root for the Lakers in Los Angeles.
What is your favorite place to play outside of Brown?A lot of Ivy League schools don't have great stadiums. You can't compare Stevenson Field to any other field. I get so excited every time I go out there. It motivates me; plus, it's so beautiful and well kept.
What is your favorite part of the soccer season?Right when I pass all my fitness tests. It's the beginning of the season and everyone is coming back together, especially after last season, where we lost 10 players from the year before. Last year was a big rebuilding year for our team. We were very young.
How did last year's team change your playing style?I became a very loud and vocal player. As a sweeper, you get to see everything unfold. I like directing traffic. But as the last one back, it's much tougher to hide your mistakes.
What is your favorite class?I loved EN 9: "Management of Industrial and Nonprofit Organizations" and EN 90: "Managerial Decision Making." It was interesting to read all of the case studies for different companies.
Can you study abroad with soccer?Yes. Coach (Phil) Pincince really encouraged study abroad. He's one of the only coaches I know who allows it without a hassle. It's such a great feeling. College is more than soccer, and it was nice to know I had the choice to study abroad. I studied at the Sorbonne in Paris. It was amazing.
What did you study there?I studied film, art history and international relations. All of the classes were in French.
What class did you enjoy the most?Definitely my art history class. We would learn about a painting, like Manet's Olympia, and then see it in a museum.
How do you measure success?By how much work you put in, how much you want it and the results that come from that.
Do you have any superstitions?Not really, but I do love the number 13.
Who has been the most influential person in your life?My 11th grade English teacher and gender studies teacher, Mrs. Wheelock. When it was difficult for women to find jobs, she did everything she wanted. She was a pilot, a photographer and a spy. She had so many different goals and accomplished them all. She was faced with so many obstacles and overcame them all. I respect her so much, especially as a teacher.
What was the most memorable play of your career?As a freshman, my first goal was a game-winner against URI. It was the first time our seniors had beaten them. I got a pass from Tori Manchester ('06) about 40 yards out and had some space. I saw the goalkeeper was off her line and I hit the upper right corner of the net.
Do you have any nagging injuries?My IT band (a band of a tendon over the outer bone of the knee) has been bothering me for the past few weeks. I've been limping a little, but good thing I stayed in the Princeton game to score the game winner. I also have weak ankles.
Tell us about the Princeton game.It was amazing. It was the first time we beat them in eight years. It is probably my new career highlight. Plus it was our first Ivy win of the season.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?I am very open and I always speak the truth, even when it is embarrassing.
Talk about your pregame warm-up. I can usually be seen dancing in the locker room. It gets me ready. I'm taking modern dance this semester. I'd probably be dancing a lot more if I wasn't playing soccer.
What artists do you like to dance to?I love listening to Missy Elliott. And the song "Call on Me," by Eric Prydz. I enjoy anything with a good beat.
What is your favorite movie?"A League of their Own." It has a great cast, even when most of the actors weren't as famous. There are so many great one-liners, especially from Jon Lovitz. It always hits the competitive edge in me.
What did you do this summer?I interned at NBC Universal in California for their post-production marketing department. I did a lot of hands-on stuff. I produced a TV spot with a film editor. It wasn't used, but it was a great experience. I also got to assist with scriptwriting for some TV spots.
Is this what you want to do after Brown?I'd love to work in the entertainment business. I really enjoy post-production marketing.
