The NIU women’s soccer team is in the midst of its conference season, and players are worried about earning that top spot in the MAC.

Sophomore Christen Schuler took time from her busy schedule to speak with the Northern Star. The defender discussed topics ranging from team chemistry to her least favorite genre of music.

Northern Star: What is your major and what are your plans after graduation?

Christen Schuler: I am an undecided business major, but I have no clue what I’m doing after graduation. I think I’m going to end up in the business world anyway, so I figured it would be a good idea.

NS: After playing for one year at NIU, what is the biggest difference from high school soccer?

CS: It’s about 100 times more intense. High school is not as competitive and you don’t feel as strongly committed as you do in college.

NS: Why is that?

CS: I live with three teammates – sophomores Becca Ford, Annie Wyer, and Mo Smunt. I’m around those girls all the time, and you just feel closer to them.

NS: Do you guys ever get sick of each other?

CS: Not at all, I love them. You’d think you’d get sick of it with practice, lifting and then coming home, but we don’t. Our personalities are so different. Becca is the quiet one, Annie is just all over the place, and Mo and I just like to shop. We mesh together well.

NS: Which player has the most personality on the team?

CS: Jess Orlando is insane. That’s the only way I can describe her.

NS: What is your favorite type of music?

CS: Hip-Hop and R&B, but pretty much anything but country. I despise country more than anything on this planet. It’s annoying and I don’t relate to anything they sing about.

NS: So when you and your roommates aren’t getting along, do they blast country to get back at you?

CS: Mo’s room is right next to mine and when she plays it, I try to tune it out or just play loud music of my own.

NS: What is your favorite Carrie Barker saying?

CS: “You create your own luck.”

NS: Does she have any funny quotes?

CS: Carrie has her own vocabulary. She’ll create her own little words. They make sense and you know what she’s talking about, but then you’re like, “Carrie, that’s not a word.”