Just 81:25 into her collegiate career, UC San Diego sophomore Jordyn McNutt collected her first goal as a member of the Triton women's soccer team. The 5-foot-5 midfielder went on to lead the team in scoring as a freshman, and has already netted her first marker of 2015, the overtime game-winner in the Tritons' 2-1 season-opening victory over Concordia last Thursday night. Head coach Brian McManus knows he has a valuable commodity in the San Diego (University City HS) native. "Jordy's big skills are her quickness and ability to go at people and deliver crosses," says McManus, now in his 29th year at the helm. "She's like having a third forward out there, because she's always going to get on the end of things. She's not the biggest player, but she's effective in the air and when she's in the (penalty) box, she always seems to be around the ball."
With the CCAA schedule rapidly approaching, McNutt spent time talking about her first year at UCSD, some of her off-the-field interests, and her hopes for the current season.
Q: You scored five goals as a freshman last season. Would you consider yourself a natural goal-scorer?
McNUTT: I would not. I usually don't take a lot of shots in the game. Instead, I have more opportunities to get assists by crossing the ball or taking corner kicks. The most important characteristic of scoring is to follow all shots and crosses. The majority of my goals happen inside the (penalty) box by making an attacking run.
Q: Playing in a wide midfield position for Brian McManus, what is the one skill that makes you productive day in and day out?
McNUTT: The one skill is being in shape. Our team relies on the speed and endurance of the outside midfielders, so it's very important that we are able to make attacking runs up the field, and to also track the player we are marking if they make an attacking run. Outside mids must be fit so they can attack and defend constantly throughout the game.
Q: When you joined the UCSD team as a freshman last fall, what was your most difficult adjustment? How did you get through it?
McNUTT: The most difficult adjustment was learning to play with three defenders on the field. (Editor's Note: Brian McManus' tried and true 3-5-2 formation.) My past high school team and club team always played with four defenders on the field, so I had to adjust to man marking and tracking my player, instead of relying on the defender behind me to mark the opposing outside mid player. I quickly adjusted to the new formation by communicating with my teammates and watching UCSD game footage from the 2012 national semifinals in Georgia.
Q: After a somewhat rocky start, your team finished the regular season 5-0-1 in 2014. Several key players have graduated, but do you think last year's strong finish will carry over into this season's performance?
McNUTT: We are definitely going to miss the seniors from last year, but I'm confident that the new and returning players will step up to the seniors' old positions. Our team was very disappointed by last season ending so soon, and we already have a better attitude for this season. We all have one common goal, to make it to Florida, where this year's NCAA Championship (semifinals and final are) being held. Without a doubt, we will make it farther than last season based on attitude and skill.
Q: From what you've seen of the 2015 squad so far, what do you think will be the most improved area?
McNUTT: The most improved area, I believe, will be attacking and finishing. Last season, we had a very difficult time scoring, and I've already noticed a big improvement in some freshmen and returning players being confident to goal. Our shooting accuracy has improved, as well as getting the ball to our forwards' feet. Also, more midfielders are able to make attacking runs in the goal box, creating more opportunities to score. We are not relying only on the forwards to score.
Q: As a freshman, what was the best thing about playing for head coach Brian McManus? What was the most difficult?
McNUTT: The best thing was the opportunity to play for such a well-known and respected coach. Brian makes practice fun while being serious and focused at the same time. His positive coaching gives so much confidence to his players, so I always wanted to work my hardest for him and the program. The most difficult thing was not being able to understand his sense of humor and jokes. I could never tell if he was being serious or not when joking around. Editor's Note: Classic.
Q: On your current roster, what are some of the "hidden talents" of your teammates, on or off the field?
McNUTT: I say let's keep them "hidden" out of loyalty to my teammates.
Q: You've listed FC Barcelona and Argentina standout Lionel Messi as your favorite player. What are one or two parts of Messi's game you wish you could incorporate into your own?
McNUTT: I wish I could be more confident when taking players on and acquire a few of his awesome moves. Also, to be more composed when attacking the goal by having accurate shots with both feet.
Q: How excited were you to see the U.S. women's team win the World Cup last July? What would you judge as the highlight moment of the tournament?
McNUTT: Watching the World Cup is always exciting, especially since the U.S. has such a talented team. The highlight moment of the tournament was when Carli Lloyd scored a hat trick in the final against Japan. I remember being so excited watching goal after goal, and being so proud of the women's team.
Q: Snorkeling is one of your hobbies. What are a few of the nicest places you've been? What's the scariest situation you've encountered while snorkeling?
McNUTT: The nicest places I've been are Molokini Crater off Maui and Cabo San Lucas. The water was so clear and there were so many colorful, tropical fish. My favorite local spot is La Jolla Cove, because there are really cool fish in the kelp beds, including bright orange garibaldi, which is the California state fish. The scariest situation I encountered was snorkeling close to an eel in Maui, but I just kept my distance and stayed calm.
Q: This past June, you went to Zion National Park in Utah. How many national parks have you had the chance to visit? Which was the most beautiful? Are there any on your future calendar? If you could visit any one, which would it be?
McNUTT: I have visited Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California, Zion National Park in Utah, and Haleakala National Park in Maui, Hawaii. The most beautiful was Zion, because the canyon had every shade of orange and red in the rocks. I hiked Angels Landing, and I also did a hike called The Narrows, which is a trail through the Virgin River, and the farther you hiked up the river, the narrower the canyon walls got. The view looking up was incredible.
I plan on visiting Death Valley National Park this winter and Yosemite National Park next summer. Both parks are in California, and hopefully I will get to hike Half Dome in Yosemite. The one park I really want to visit is Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, because it has more than 335 miles of trails to hike, and breathtaking views.
Q: You're a human development major with an education minor, focused on eventually becoming an elementary school teacher. What got you interested in that profession, and what would be your ideal grade to teach?
McNUTT: My mother and grandmother were both teachers, and both loved working with children, and I share that same interest. I also have an older sister with a rare chromosome disorder, so I have firsthand knowledge of what it's like to struggle with a disability, and will carry over that experience into the classroom.
The ideal grade would be third, because the students would be old enough to understand how to read and write, but still young enough to show creativity with their work. Also, I look forward to getting out on the playground with my students and teaching them the importance of exercise and sportsmanship.
Q: What are your hopes and expectations for your team in 2015? When your collegiate career is over, what do you hope others will say about you?
McNUTT: My expectations are very high for my team this season. I hope to reach the NCAA Championship in Florida because I know with the talent on this team, it's possible. We all want to do this for Brian and Jonesy (associate head coach Kristin Jones). I hope others will be able to say that I was a team player, that they could always count on me on and off the field, and that I was a good role model.
Previous Triton Q&A Features
Cameron McElfresh (Men's Soccer) September 1, 2015
Daniel Franz (Men's Cross Country) August 17, 2015
Meagan Wright (Women's Volleyball) August 10, 2015
Chase Cockerill (Men's Water Polo) August 3, 2015
Kelcie Brodsky (Women's Soccer) July 27, 2015
Kuba Waligorski (Men's Soccer) July 20, 2015
Nate Garcia (Cross Country) July 13, 2015
2014-15 • 2013-14 • 2010-13 • 2004-09
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