This Pace senior midfielder went on a scoring binge to win PNJ Athlete of the Week
Congratulations to the latest PNJ Athlete of the Week winner for the 2023-24 school year: Becca Ryan from the Pace girls soccer team.
The Patriots senior midfielder garnered 45.37 percent of the total vote in the PNJ’s online poll held after the Nov. 13-18 playing period. Each winner is awarded a one-of-a-kind PNJ.com Athlete of the Week shirt provided by BSN SPORTS.
Ryan totaled five goals and an assist through a pair of Patriots victories during that stretch. She entered the new year with 13 goals scored this season.
Lastest AOTW winner: West Florida's Abby Vernier is the last PNJ Athlete of the Week from the fall season
Latest AOTW winner: Milton's Landon Pulliam wins PNJ's Athlete of the Week
Learn more about the senior on and off the pitch after she spoke with PNJ sports reporter Patrick Bernadeau. The interview was conducted on Jan. 3. Check back later for future winners and to vote in the next PNJ Athlete of the Week poll.
Q and A with Pace's Becca Ryan
PNJ: How did you ring in the new year?
Ryan: “It was pretty good. We were on break, so I had some time to relax away from soccer. I worked a lot, but it was fun.”
PNJ: Any resolutions for the new year?
Ryan: “Maybe eat better (laughs).”
PNJ: You've been on a tear this season as you're one of the area's leaders in goals scored. Going into the season, what were your personal goals and expectations?
Ryan: “Honestly, just to make it to state. I’m just hoping that we can do that, I believe that we can. I just hope for the best.”
PNJ: I do want to talk about the team some, but individually, what do you think has helped you go up a level?
Ryan: “I played for a (Gulf Coast Premier League) team over the summer. And it was with a bunch of college girls, so they really helped me bring up my game and bring up my confidence. So I had the confidence to come out here and score some goals.”
PNJ: With that experience and training in the offseason, what areas were you able to improve?
Ryan: “My touch and aiming my shots better.”
PNJ: “How long have you been playing soccer?
Ryan: “I want to say since I was like four years old, maybe five. I wanted to put myself with my sister and she loves soccer. So I thought I'd do it.”
PNJ: So she was your biggest influence?
Ryan: “Yes.”
PNJ: After being introduced to it, why do you think you’ve continued to play it?
Ryan: “It's fun, I like it. I mean, the heat during the summer was not fun, but I like it.”
PNJ: Do you prefer playing in this weather?
Ryan: “I get cold really easily, like I can barely feel my toes right now. But in the heat, it's really hot and then I feel like I'm running out of air, so I kind of prefer the cold.”
PNJ: Was there a point where you realized and said to yourself, “Hey, I'm pretty good at this?”
Ryan: “Maybe my sophomore year. It just got a lot better, my game and everything. And I had influences from the seniors that were on our team. The juniors were really good. So they really helped, too.”
PNJ: The team has gotten better in recent years, with winning seasons the last couple of years and you guys have a winning record right now. What do you think explains the improvement?
Ryan: “Well, we got a new coach (Chandler Castleman) a few seasons ago and that kind of helped bring us up a little bit. He did some different stuff than what our recent coach did. And then he left and now we have (Nick Williamson) and he's really good. He's bringing it up a few notches.”
PNJ: A few questions about your teammates. Who is the nicest teammate?
Ryan: “Maybe Sadie (Miller) or Berkleigh (Jernigan).”
PNJ: Who is the loudest teammate?
Ryan: “Probably Bree (Stankard).”
PNJ: A few more questions that have nothing to do with soccer. If you had one thing to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Ryan: “Pasta, or pizza, but it has to have ranch on it.”
PNJ: Do the toppings matter?
Ryan: “I'm really picky. I'm O.K. with meat lovers.”
PNJ: What is the best place in town to get a slice?
Ryan: “I prefer Dominos. But at the beach, there's Papa’s Pizza.”
PNJ: If you had one place to travel to, where would you go?
Ryan: “Texas, that’s where I’m from.”
PNJ: How long have you been here?
Ryan: “Since my freshman year, so I was born and raised there.”
PNJ: What do you most miss about Texas?
Ryan: “Soccer. Soccer is really good there.”
PNJ: What do you most enjoy about living here?
Ryan: “The beach (laughs).”
PNJ: Lastly, if you had one superpower, what would it be?
Ryan: “To be invisible.”
Patrick Bernadeau is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at (772) 985-9692, on X at @PatBernadeau or via email at pbernadeau@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pace's Becca Ryan captures PNJ's Athlete of the Week honors.
