UMBC Athletic Communications intern Maggie Franks recently sat down with Delainey Varela-Keen prior to this weekend's Senior Day at Retriever Soccer Park
What made you start playing soccer?
   Honestly, it was something that I was thrown into when I was about 4. My parents had me try it, but right away, I just loved it. I tried basketball along the way, and that was okay, but I knew I wanted to play soccer for the rest of my life.
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What made you truly fall in love with/stick with soccer?
   Being around the people I was with all the time, and going to school with them at a younger age, was fun. Also, I love how the game is played, I find it so satisfying, and I'm able to get better each day. I love the technique, working with other people, and putting pieces together.
Who is your biggest inspiration overall or biggest inspiration within soccer?
   Overall, my mom supported me my entire life, which means so much. She always puts her family first, which is amazing. She's also my best friend, so seeing her work so hard while having fun is awesome. For soccer, my club coach, Sean Cochran, coached me for the majority of my youth career. He just took me under his wing, encouraged me, and made me the player that I am today.Â
If you could relive one moment in your soccer career over again, what would it be and why?
   There are so many good memories, but I would have to go with the first time my team won the state cup and then went on to regionals and nationals. We were the underdogs going into regionals and nationals. We didn't end up winning, but just making it there was such a rewarding feeling after all the hard work we put in. It was with people I had played with for a while, so we all knew the hard work that went into making it there.Â
If you played a different sport professionally/in college, what would it be?
   Professionally, I would want to play football. It would be really cool to be a super-fast wide receiver. In college, it would be awesome to play baseball. Getting to spend weekends away from home with your team seems like such a cool experience.Â
What went into your decision to commit to UMBC?
   It was during COVID, so most of the interactions were just FaceTimes with the coaches and team. They were so supportive, and it seemed like such a great environment. I got lucky and really liked the campus when I finally got to visit, so that was good.Â
What keeps you motivated through your injuries?
   Just knowing that eventually whatever injury or illness is going to come to an end. Anything that I faced, like ankle injuries and positional vertigo, I knew that I would be able to figure it out because of how amazing the trainers and doctors are. The coaching staff is also so supportive and constantly checking in on my mental and physical health.Â
What is the hardest part about balancing a sport and school?
   Definitely time management. Coming in, I knew it was going to be a hard thing to do, but I didn't realize how difficult it would be. Trying to find time in between classes, lift, work, and practice to read or do homework is definitely challenging. Once you get it down, it is definitely a lot of management to handle everything.Â
What was the transition to becoming a senior like with 14 seniors leaving after last season?
   It was a big transition, especially with most of the people who left being starters. It is definitely fun to see people I knew as first- and second-year students stepping into starting positions. For myself, it has been a lot of fun being a leader on the team. Planning things for the team and communicating with the coaching staff is exciting.Â
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