20 Questions Follow Up with Briana Bagley

It's Thursday, and that normally means a new edition of 20 Questions. However, life happens, and I've gotten a bit behind in getting my 20 Questions questionnaire out to the people that are participating in the interviews. Ah the curse of being a fan blogger. 

Instead of a new 20 Questions, I have a follow-up with Maryland Olympic Development Program goalkeeper, Briana Bagley. 

I received a text the other day from Briana's dad telling me I forgot to ask, or should've asked, about the injuries Briana has racked up on her path to soccer awesomeness. 

Recently, Briana was at a residential camp and suffered an injury and a significant one. While playing futsol, she dove for a ball landing hard on her right side. The collision resulted in a hairline fracture of her collarbone, a deep muscle and bone contusion. But Briana is one tough cookie. She finished the game. And she finished the camp. 

Reminder, this girl is only 12 years old. "She said it hurt the last two days of camp but it wasn't until she got home last night and was lifting her luggage  bag out of the trunk that she felt a pop and was in tears," says her dad. This 12 year old girl sucked up two final days of camp to hone her craft. 

This is the heart and determination of a professional athlete. And it's packaged in a preteen. In her interview, Briana said she had to hike up her skirt and do it. This is her attitude toward the beautiful game, her position as goalie, and playing through pain:

Strained neck

Deep contusion to the growth plate in her foot

Concussion

Played an entire tournament with a broken finger

Dislocated thumb

A wound on her knee that re-opened EVERY game for two seasons and is now a permanent scar

Deep bruise with cleat imprint on her inner thigh that lasted almost an entire season

Several other nasty bruises and bumps.

If this isn't the tenacity needed to earn a USWNT, NCAA, or an NWSL scout, I don't know what does. This girl is going to go places. The USWNT has "Hope," but we believe in Bri. (Trademark pending)

I hope to get out and get back my next round of 20 Questions by next Thursday. Interviews with Yael Averbuch (USWNT), Kaylyn Kyle (Seattle Reign/CanWNT), Taryn Hemmings, Julianne Sitch, and Adrianna Leon (all of the Chicago Red Stars). 

Thanks for Following Futbol.