I sat down with Alex Adelabu ’15, striker for the men’s soccer team, Wednesday after the team’s 3-1 loss to then-No. 23 Boston University. Adelabu, who leads the team in goals and points this season (five and 13, respectively) earned Ivy Player of the Week honors after two goals in three games for the Big Green. On Saturday, the team lost its first Ivy game of the season, 2-1 to the University of Pennsylvania.
How did it feel to earn Ivy League Player of the Week?AA: I think the big thing is that we’re winning. My sophomore year, I got it twice, and we didn’t have a really good record, so it didn’t really matter that I was doing well individually, but its good to have both the team doing well and to be doing well individually.
How’s the season going?AA: Up until last night it was going well. We’ve been playing really well. I think the freshmen came in and stepped up really big. We have a really balanced squad, so that allows us to play different squads for different games. It’s also nice that other people can step up and contribute.
Has there been anything lately that has helped you be so successful scoring?AA: Just the talent around me. That makes my life easier. In past years, it’s just been me, but now other teams have to worry about other players on our team, so that gives me more space.
Do you have any personal goals for the rest of the season?AA: I want to score more goals. There are six more games and hopefully we can make the tournament, but I just want to score more goals and put in more assists as well.
As a senior on the team, have you had to take on a different role?AA: I think in past years, when you get in tough situations in games, you look to the older guys to pull the team through, and now guys are looking up to you to do that. Also, off the field, you have to help the younger guys as far as maintaining and managing their bodies and taking the time to actually get ahead in studies. Especially when Ivy season rolls around, those are the midterm weeks, so you have to get ahead and give advice like that. We have a lot of seniors as well, so I don’t feel like I have to do everything, so I think that’s good in that sense.
After the season ends, is there anything on campus that you want to do that you haven’t been able to do as an athlete?AA: I want to do some acting. I did that a little bit my freshman year, so I’m hoping I can go back into that. I also need to learn how to swim. I like playing pick up basketball as well. During my internship, I played a lot with my coworkers so I’ll probably go down and play some pick up basketball.
Did you ever play basketball in high school?AA: I played in middle school. I traveled a lot, though. I had just gotten here from Nigeria so I would just pick up the ball and run around with it. They called travel on me a lot, so I quit.
Is there any professional player that you look up to as a role model?AA: I support Arsenal Football Club. Thierry Henry used to play for them, and I really like him. He’s fast like me, so I try to play like him. Growing up, I watched them a lot. He plays for New York Red Bulls now. I kind of look up to him, but that’s just in terms of playing soccer. You can’t really look up to people in terms of their lifestyles, because their experiences are different. I think playing-wise I look up to him, but there are so many good players. Cristiano Ronaldo is another one who just wants to succeed and works hard in that sense, so I look up to him as well.
We chatted again after the team’s loss to the University of Pennsylvania.
What didn’t go well in the game?AA: I think we’re pretty unlucky. They had only one shot in the second half and they scored from it. We didn’t really take our chances, and I’m guilty of that. I had a number of chances that on another day I could’ve done better on. We can’t change it and we have to keep it in perspective. I’ve watched the game over and over and over again. It’s one of those things that doesn’t get out of your body and you think about everything you could have done better. But we have a week off before Columbia. Hopefully we can go there and put together a really good performance.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
