Winslow Crane-Murdoch, a rookie member of the Connecticut College Men’s Soccer Team, scored the only goal in his first NESCAC game against the Bates Bobcats and led the Camels to a 1-0 victory on September 12. After hitting the ground running, it looks like Murdoch will be a key player in the Camels offense for both this season and future seasons.
VOICE: How long have you been playing soccer?
MURDOCH: I started playing soccer when I was five for a local co-ed team, and I’ve been playing ever since.
VOICE: How has your soccer career at Connecticut College been thus far?
MURDOCH: Well I haven’t been here for very long, so to start the season off the way we did against Bates has definitely been the highlight. Scoring a goal in my first college game was extremely exciting. It was a great ball in from Isaac, and the team worked exceptionally hard to get the result. I’m lucky to be a part of a great group of guys who have welcomed me in to the team, and who constantly push me to keep improving.
VOICE: Do you have any specific pre-game rituals (a certain meal, music, superstition)?
MURDOCH: I don’t really have any superstitions before I play. I do like to have a couple minutes to myself to sit and collect my thoughts about what needs to be done on any given day. But besides that I just try to stay relaxed before a game starts.
VOICE: Who/what inspires you to keep playing even when things are not necessarily going your way on the field?
MURDOCH: I’ve found that especially here at Conn, there are so many things to keep me motivated on and off the field. Whether it be the guys on the team, the coaching staff, or the college community, there is a great supporting cast that helps me to focus, and makes me want to continue to work hard. If I’m having a tough day on the field the guys and the coaches have been great at getting me to pick my head up and move on.
VOICE: Outside of soccer, what are your other interests?
MURDOCH: Since I first got here most of my free time has been taken up by soccer, so when it’s not I’ve spent a lot of time, sleeping and relaxing in my room watching /Entourage/ with my roommates Eli and Mike. Other than that though, I’m big into skiing in the winter, and I kayak a lot in the summer. I’m interested in studying international relations and film here at Conn.
VOICE: What is the most important lesson soccer has taught you about life?
MURDOCH: I’d say the most important thing soccer has taught me is the value of hard work. I have always found that the harder I work the better I play, and I think that is a lesson that can be applied to all aspects of life.
VOICE: What are your hopes for this soccer season and for you future as a Connecticut College athlete?
MURDOCH: I have very high hopes for this season. I’m only a freshman, so I still have a lot to improve upon and a lot to learn, however, I feel confident
that I am surrounded by a team that will put in the work to make our season a success.
Our new coach has been fantastic in getting all of us to buy into the fact that this is a new year and we have the ability to make what we want of it. There are many experienced and talented players on the team that I think will help us grow into a group that can contend for the NESCAC playoffs, and maybe even a NESCAC title.
VOICE: Do you hope to play other sports her at CC? If so, how do you expect to balance being a multiple sport athlete?
MURDOCH: I am a one sport athlete, so I spend the winter and spring preparing for the fall.
VOICE: What are the main differences you have noticed between high school/club soccer and NESCAC soccer?
MURDOCH: The main difference I have noticed in NESCAC soccer is the extreme level of competition for all ninety minutes. There is never a dull moment, and the speed of play, and physicality is something that I am still getting used to. It’s a lot of fun though, and I love the challenge of the league, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.
Make sure to catch men’s soccer’s first home game Saturday at 2:30 PM on Tempel Green vs. Amherst.
