Nievinski 'a pillar' with Mosinee soccer

MOSINEE - Claire Nievinski didn't hesitate when asked what her favorite sport is.

"I probably shouldn't say this during soccer season, but I'm a volleyball person," the Mosinee senior said with a laugh during soccer practice Monday at the Edgewood Park soccer complex.

Her heart might belong to volleyball, but she has been a heartbeat of the Mosinee soccer team.

The three-sport athlete and Mosinee keeper had eight shutouts this season for the Mosinee soccer team that holds a 9-1-2 record overall.

Nievinski also has a 1.11 goals against average in conference games entering Tuesday's home matchup with Rhinelander, and is one of the 13 seniors on a team that has grown from a last-place team in her freshman year to one that is in third place in the GNC this season.

"She has been one of our pillars," Mosinee coach Pat Youles said.

Nievinski is also someone who has grown as a keeper as the team has climbed the conference standings.

"It's the thinking side of goalkeeping. It's just not reflexes (with the position)," Youles said. "Everyone thinks it is just about fast reflexes, but it's not.  It's anticipation, it's geometry and it's knowing angles. It's knowing when to come out (of the net) and anticipate the shot. It's not entirely physical. A lot of it is mental."

Mosinee soccer struggled early in your high school career to say the least. What is it like to have a year like this, to be where the program is now? Going into freshman year, a lot of us didn't have a lot of (soccer) experience and we didn't win any games that year. It is just really cool to see the program progress, just getting better each year and getting to a really winning season this year. I think that shows the character of this team, just the players not giving up.

What has been the biggest thing about the team this year, outside of experience? I think we really good amount of teamwork. We've got better talking on the field and I think that has helped a lot. All these girls are honestly like the best teammates you could ask for. There is not one that is an issue and I think that really helps.

How much soccer experience did you have coming into high school, and/or experience as a keeper? I played a little bit in eighth grade and then I tore my ACL my freshman year so I didn't really play much that year. But sophomore year I started as a goalie and played there since.

Where do you feel you have grown the most as a keeper, or what is the biggest area you have improved in since sophomore year? Probably getting to the ball quickly and getting up quickly after diving or making a save. There are going to be rebound shots and when there is, you want to be up and ready for it. I feel I have got a lot quicker in that.

Are there any saves that you've made that really stick out in particular? When we played Ashland in Ashland I stopped a penalty kick that was pretty huge and kept the game tied. That was pretty nice.

Your father (Paul) was the longtime football coach at Mosinee. What is it like to be a coach's kid? He always gave me three rules for being in a sport: be coachable, have a positive attitude and work hard. He would say, 'As long as you do those three things, I will be happy.' It really teaches you to stick with things, because I know coming from a coach's standpoint it's not always easy. I see that side too, which is nice. I know what coaches feel and not just what a player feels.

What are your post-graduation plans? I am attending Winona State University. Not playing any sports there, just intramurals. For a major, I am undecided right now. But I'm leaning toward a minor in business and a major in something in the health field.

Tim Johnson: 715-845-0731, or timothy.johnson@gannettwisconsin.com; on Twitter @timmyjo11

CLAIRE NIEVINSKI

School: Mosinee

Year: Senior

Sports: Soccer, volleyball, basketball

Family: Father, Paul; mother, Cindy; brother, Clint

Favorite move: "Step Brothers"

Favorite song currently: I don't really like to pick a favorite song because it changes so quickly. I really like a wide variety of music. I have a lot of throwback music, a lot of (Taylor Swift) from her first album. But I also like the Red Hot Chili Peppers "Under the Bridge", so it's a pretty wide variety.