With back-to-back shutouts against Eureka College and Mount Mercy College, and with 74 saves for the season, Frazzini has become well-acquainted with the net.  In double overtime versus 15th-ranked Augustana, Frazzini assisted the team to a 1-1 draw with a season-high 10 saves. Also playing women's lacrosse for the Cardinals, the exercise science major still manages to succeed in the classroom.  Frazzini has twice received All- Academic honors from the CCIW, and has aspirations of becoming a physical therapist.   

Get to Know Amy Frazzini

Q: When did you first begin to play soccer?

A: I started playing when I was five years old.  At first I played with a recreational team, but then as I got older I wanted to play with a club team.  Since there were no women's club soccer programs in my area, I actually joined a men's club team which my neighbor and twin brother played on. Playing with the boys was fun because sometimes they would be protective of you, but then when you schooled some guy they'd be like, “Ohhhhhh you just got schooled by a girl!”  When I got to high school though, I was able play with a women's club travel team. 

Q: This year you started as goalkeeper for the Cardinals, a completely new position to you.  What brought about the change?

A: Well, freshman and sophomore year I played stopper on defense.  Then after last year, our goalie graduated, and we didn't have another goalie with the same kind of experience.  So, head coach Jenni Kapanen just kind of put me in that position.  I played a little bit of goalie in high school though.

Q: Do you prefer one position over another?

A: People always ask me that.  To me honest, I like different aspects of both.  I'm a really aggressive person, so when I'm out on the field playing stopper that's my thing.  I love getting up to win all the 50/50 balls and use that aggression.  Sometimes when I'm in goal it can get boring, but when the time comes and the ball is coming at me, I get really excited. 

Q: How did you feel about the team's performance this season, closing with a four-game unbeaten streak?

A: In terms of performance we started off a little bit slow, but then each game it clicked for one person, and then the next game it would click for a few more people.  We lost a lot of starters last year, like 7 out of 11, and since I was in a new position it was probably more like a loss of 8.  Our freshman class was big and definitely helped, so we saw improvement at the end of our season when everything fell together with the streak.  I think we finally got to the point where we wanted to be, kind of the end of the season, but it shows that next year will be even better. 

Q: What was it like to draw this season with the No. 15 ranked Augustana?

A: That was so exciting! A lot of teams tend to overlook us just because our program hasn't always been the strongest.  And because we beat North Park University too, people couldn't say it was a fluke.  We were so stoked because they were ranked No. 5 most of the season.  Coach Kapanen even came up to me to give me a hug afterwards—she doesn't normally do that.

Q: You have now been named CCIW Defensive Player of the Week twice this season.  What was that like?

A: It's really exciting because I've been recognized in a position that's relatively new to me. Also, it's really flattering because people are honoring you for making good plays.

Q: Last year the University of New Mexico's Elizabeth Lambert put women's soccer in the spotlight because of a ponytail yank.  What are your opinions on that situation?  Has women's soccer become too physical?

A: At any division in women's collegiate soccer, younger kids are going to think you're amazing.  They don't really care how you play.  We've had kids come in and tell their parents “Oh my gosh, I just met a real soccer player today” after they just met us.  As for the Elizabeth Lambert situation, I think her behavior was very unprofessional, and it didn't end with just a ponytail yank.  It was a total of five questionable shoves and cleat slides.  She plays on scholarship at a Division I institution, and younger kids look up to her.  When you choose to be at that level—you just can't do that.   Every player has their moments where they may do the intentional shove once or twice in a game, but then you stop.  Women's soccer gets aggressive, but since I've been playing at the collegiate level, I don't think it's gotten any more aggressive.  It's always been that way.

Q: What gets you pumped up for a game?

A: While I get treatment, I sit there and eat Oreos and peanut butter.  If I remember to bring the iHome, some of the girls and I will go up to the locker room and sing and dance.

Q: What is it like to be a two-sport athlete? 

A: I enjoy playing both soccer and lacrosse.  I'm more confident in soccer because I've been playing it my whole life, but I picked up lacrosse pretty quick.   When my schedule gets really busy it can be tough, but I tend to work better when I know I don't have a lot of time.    

Q: Who is your favorite soccer player (male or female)?

A: Mia Hamm since she was a star and inspired me when I was growing up.  I also like Landon Donovan and Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Q: How did the women's soccer and lacrosse teams become involved in the “adoption” of six-year old cancer patient Rosie Colucci?  What activities does the team do with Rosie?

A: One of our seniors last year came across Rosie and asked our coach if she could host a fundraising event after one of our games.  Coach said yes, and we set up a booth after the game.  Rosie's family asked if we would be interested in working with the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation (FOJ).  FOJ matches up high school or collegiate sport teams with children diagnosed with cancer.  We saw the video for FOJ and Coach Kapanen asked the soccer and lacrosse teams if we would be interested in “adopting” Rosie.  We all agreed even though it could result in hardship.  It's been great.  In terms of activities, we help her with fundraising for pediatric cancer and plan day trips.  A couple weeks ago, we carved pumpkins with her.  This adoption touches everyone.  Rosie is so mature and her approach on life in general has opened our eyes.  When we see her on the sidelines, it really pushes us to work that much harder. 

Q: What has been the most rewarding class you have taken at North Central so far?

A: I enjoyed my Anatomy and Physiology class because we were able to cover so many different topics. I really liked dissecting cats too.  I know that sounds really bad, but I love dissection labs.  If I were planning to be a doctor, I would definitely be an orthopedic surgeon. 

Q: What do you enjoy most about the school's exercise science program?

A: When I came to North Central, I went in as a biology major.  I didn't know what academic tracks there were to become a physical therapist besides biology.  Then, I was exposed to exercise science which enabled me to take more classes geared towards my career goal.  The program is relatively new to the school and has a nice variety of classes.  Actually right now, I'm on the executive board for a student-run exercise science organization.  The organization is in the making, but we're thinking about calling it HEXA (Health and Exercise Association) like a hexagon because the program has six focuses.  The name isn't definite yet though.