­­­A Minnetonka, Minnesota native, Ashley Dohrer is a defender on the UNCW women's soccer team.

Q: How old were you when you first started playing soccer and was anyone else in your family a soccer player?

A: I love being physically active so my parents signed me up for soccer in the first grade, but no one else in my family had played soccer before. I tried every sport when I was younger, too, from softball to soccer but I guess I got hooked on soccer.

Q: You are an elementary education major so you must enjoy working with kids.  Have you had any experience working with children before, either in or outside of a classroom setting?

A: I've worked at sports camps since I was younger and I like to work and help out with Coach Cairney's camps at UNCW over the summers. I help out when I can because I really enjoy working with kids and I can't wait to have my own classroom as a teacher.

Q: What is your favorite season of the year?

A: Definitely summer. I'm from Minnesota and I love it there, but the weather is too cold for me. I like it hot, the hotter the better.  

Q: If you could meet one person, either living or dead, who would you want to meet and why?

A: I would choose Martin Luther King, Jr. I have always admired him and I really love what he did for our country. I don't like history in school, but whenever we have to give presentations I always recite his speeches or dress up as him because I think all that he accomplished is really interesting.

Q: You play as a defender for UNCW. Have you ever played any other position before joining the Seahawks? Why do you think you excel in the defensive position?

A: I played as a forward my whole life prior to UNCW. During one tournament in high school we didn't have any defenders so I volunteered to play defense and after the game my coach told me never to play defense again. I didn't even do that bad I thought! Now that I play defense at UNCW I really like it, but I had to start over learning the position, however, since I played forward my whole life I can now defend really good.

Q: Did you look up to a professional athlete growing up? If so, who was it and do you still look up to them today?

A: I didn't look up to a professional athlete, but I have an older sister who always played sports. I also looked up to both of my parents who are really athletic so they always helped and supported my athletics growing up.  

Q: Do you prefer ice cream or frozen yogurt and what is your favorite flavor?

A: I love both! I love any kind of dessert and basically anything with chocolate. Chocolate is probably my favorite flavor.

Q: What is another talent of yours besides your soccer skill?

A: Well , I played basketball and competed in the pole vault in high school on the track team. I was always really busy but I loved all of it.  

Q:  If you received a free trip to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

A: I would probably go somewhere in the Caribbean because I love the sun and the beach so I would like to go there and lounge around on a beach.

Q: Last season you recorded three shots with two attempts on goal. Have you set any personal goals for your final season as a Seahawk?

A: I just want to continue to get better at defense since I have only been playing for three years. Our goal on the back line every game is to push for a shutout so we just want to keep that mentality of not allowing goals to our opponents. Also, I really want to have fun and enjoy my last season as a senior.  

Q: What are you looking forward to the most about graduating in May, 2012?

A: I can't wait to finally be an elementary school teacher. I have wanted to teach since I was in kindergarten and I can't wait to have my own classroom with my own kids. I am excited for that day to finally come.