Introducing U: Dejah Cason
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – One of three players from Florida in the University of Miami soccer team’s freshman class, Dejah Cason recently came to The U to begin her career as a Hurricane.
A forward who hails from nearby Hollywood, Fla., Cason took some time to speak with HurricaneSports.com about her opening days at Miami, her connections to the school and a whole lot more . . .
Q: You’re just a few days into your time as a Hurricane, but what has it been like for you thus far?
A: It’s been great, a good experience. To play at a high level of soccer, it’s really different. It’s a good adjustment and I’m having a lot of fun.
Q: What were your expectations about this first week and how has that matched up with how it has actually been?
A: My expectations were that it’s going to be hard and it’s matched up, too. Preseason is a lot of hard work [Laughter] and just getting through it is going to be the hardest part, but once we’re done with preseason, everything is going to be a breeze.
Q: How much are you looking forward to your first actual match, Aug. 11, when you take the field against UCF?
A: That is going to be new and [will make me] nervous. I’m definitely going to be nervous for that game, but my teammates have been helping a lot and we’re going to be prepared for UCF.
Q: Are there any upperclassmen who have kind of taken you under their wings a little bit and started to show you around while you get acclimated?
A: Yes, Shannon [McCarthy] and Ainsly [Wolfinbarger] have been really good upperclassmen to me, and a lot of the underclassmen have been helping us a lot . . . Dani [Danielle Savage], also, but generally everyone.
Q: When you think back on it, what made you decide that Miami was the school for you?
A: [It is] the actual college that loved me. [Another] college I wanted to go to didn’t show as much love as the University of Miami did. So, why go somewhere where you’re tolerated [rather] than somewhere that you’re loved?
Q: What has your cousin, Krystal Saunders, [a former Miami women’s basketball player and staff member], told you about UM and how close are you with her?
A: I’m really close with her, that’s family. I’ve been coming to UM since her freshman year [in 2010-11], coming to all her basketball games. She loves this school and right now it seems I’m going to love it, too.
Q: Does it make it kind of extra special that this is the hometown school and you’re able to continue your academic and athletic career here, whereas a lot of people are from all over the place?
A: Yes, it’s great to be close to home because I [am going to] get to see all my family at all my home games and if I need anything, my parents are like 40 minutes away. I mean, you still get homesick no matter how far or how close you are, but just being home just makes everything much better.
Q: How would you describe the type of player you are?
A: Hard-working and pretty feisty.
Q: Is there anyone whom you compare your style of play to or whom you try to watch and emulate a little bit?
A: Sydney Leroux, even though she’s not playing this year.
Q: Are there any classes in the fall you will be taking that you’re excited for?
A: Sign language . . . it’s something new, something different. I like to try new things. Spanish is not for me [Laughter]. I figured that out. So, why not sign language? And it’s going to be helpful later on, I believe.
To learn more about the University of Miami soccer team, follow @CanesFutbol.
