Marquette University Athletics
Stats Tell the Story for Victor
10/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Oct. 10, 2008
- Written by: David Kennison -- Marquette Athletics Media Relations
Julia Victor never met a statistic she didn't like. A self-proclaimed `stat nerd,' the sophomore midfielder for the Marquette University women's soccer team doubles as the team's unofficial stat whiz, able to rattle off numbers and facts about opponents with ease. A tradition that began in high school, Victor has religiously followed the numbers that tell the story of a team.
"People tell me I know the most random facts. For example, I knew that going into last week's game against Notre Dame they had 34 goals and we had nine, but they've only had 10 more shots than us," she said.
A voracious reader of Sports Illustrated, USA Today, and all things sports, Victor's methods of acquiring such statistical knowledge vary. She uses the BIG EAST website regularly to study upcoming opponents and supplements this with the scouting reports given to the team. The result is an in-depth understanding of the opposition that may lend itself to an advantage out on the pitch.
"I will usually know quite a bit about one or two players on the other team, who they've played, or common opponents. We're still going to focus on the big picture by playing our game and dictating tempo, but I do think any extra advantage can help," Victor said.
Her unique statistical knowledge, while appreciated by teammates, occasionally lends itself to some lighthearted harassment.
"Sometimes I get embarrassed about it, and my teammates give me a hard time but I bring it upon myself," she joked.
In addition to familiarizing herself with the opposition's statistics, the Shaker Heights, Ohio native herself has been no stranger to the box score for the Golden Eagles. Through 13 games, Victor leads Marquette in goals (3), points (8), is tied for first in assists (2) and is second with 12 shots on goal. Two of her goals came as game winners against Samford and DePaul. Despite her love for statistics, Victor realizes there is only one number that matters.
"I'm much happier knowing I have a role in scoring to help the team win. One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to have more assists than goals. But getting caught up in scoring or achieving numbers for myself takes the focus off the team winning, and that is always the most important thing," Victor said. "I like to have the `hockey assist,' which is the assist before the assist. I like to know that anything I can do as far as stats will help the team."
Victor's increased presence in the stat column is the result of an offseason in which she rededicated herself to the sport. After a freshman season that saw her take just six shots while battling through an injury suffered in the pre-season, Victor used a summer workout regime that improved her conditioning and focus.
"Last year I don't think I always took personal responsibility for working out and improving my game. There was a point after we found out we weren't going to the NCAA Tournament that it really hit home. I only have three years left in my career and it was a reality check that really improved my focus," she said.
Senior defender Katie Kelly, who serves as Victor's `big sister' on the team, has witnessed a marked improvement in Victor's play in 2008.
"She (Victor) really turned it around this summer and she's in the best shape of her career. She's so much more creative and dynamic on the field," noted Kelly.
Victor has been a steady force in the midfield this season for a Golden Eagle offense that has struggled to find the back of the net at times. However, she notes that a breakout game against DePaul could be the spark needed to carry the squad through the remainder of the BIG EAST schedule and further underscores the notion that statistics aren't always the most telling numbers.
"In the DePaul game, we didn't have the opportunity to feel sorry for ourselves. When we got down 1-0 and 2-1, we stopped trying to force it and let the game come to us naturally. We weren't trying to force it, and as a result, we created great opportunities and were able to put the ball in the net. It gave us confidence that `hey, we can score goals.'"
Victor and the Golden Eagles will rely on this confidence for the remainder of the season as they try to keep pace atop the American Division of the BIG EAST Conference. Whoever the opponent, count on Victor not only to have an easy command of their statistics, but to make her presence felt in Marquette's stat column as well.
