Natalie Means is Denver Summit FC's Rookie You Need to Know

Kate Hanson: Welcome back to the 5280 pitch Women's Soccer at Altitude. I'm Kate Hanson. Okay, so today's episode is a little different than usual. I've got a player with me who, well, there's one of the Summit's defenders, someone I've been really wanting to sit down with since I first saw the stats and when the signing was announced in January, I started digging in and I was like, this is not your typical player. And then at the kit reveal party, Kaylee Kurtz mentioned how much she was enjoying playing with this player. So then I really started diving in. Yes, folks, I'm talking about Natalie Means. And with Natalie Means is really cool because she is one of our newer players and she's out of Georgetown. And when I was looking at her stats, I honestly, I just stared at them for a second because she had 21 goals, but she plays defense ⁓ over four years. that is... really crazy. I think that it's going to be a really fun conversation and I want to get to know who this person is, what kind of defender scores 21 goals, and what has actually been going on for this player since she came out of Georgetown. This is her first year to signing her very first pro contract playing in the NWSL. So that's what we're going to get into today with Natalie Means, Summit FC defender number four. All right, let's go. Natalie, thank you so much for joining me on the 5280 pitch today.

Natalie Means: Thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited.

Kate Hanson: Well, like I said in your opener, I have to start with the Georgetown stuff because I think a lot of Summit fans are still getting to know you. You're new to the NWSL, you're new here to the Mile High City. Walk me back, how did you even end up at Georgetown? I know that you have family here in Colorado, so Colorado's kind of been a little bit of a second home to you, but talk to me a little bit about how you ended up at Georgetown and what that recruiting process was like for you.

Natalie Means: Yeah, so I was getting recruited my junior year of high school, which also happened to be during COVID. So the recruiting process was a little bit abnormal. It was all over Zoom. There were no official visits, ⁓ lots of phone calls, lots of emails, Zooming, like everything was digital. And I had started talking to my coach, Dave Nolan at Georgetown, like right when

Kate Hanson: you

Natalie Means: we could, don't even remember the date, maybe August 1st or something, June 1st, I don't know. And immediately upon learning more about the school, it was kind of top of my list just because of the academics, the location, and then they have such a successful soccer program who's been consistently in the top 20 for the last, ⁓ honestly don't know how many years. So ⁓ was just super intriguing to me. And, but then because of COVID, honestly, he was pretty hesitant about me because I was ⁓ kind of small the last time he had seen me play in person. I was short, not a lot of muscle on me. I was a late developer. So I was sending him as many like practice videos as I could because we weren't playing games. So I was training with the boys trying to send him those clips. ⁓ And my coach at Lumber into Soccer Club was so helpful in just training, filming anything I was doing pretty much. So I kind of persuaded him to commit me. And ⁓ I honestly wasn't on much scholarship. I was a leader of recruit in our class and just kind of had this foot in the door mentality of, I'm going to get there and there's not a lot of expectations around me, I don't think, so I'll just get there and try and prove myself. And it worked out pretty well. I got there my freshman year and I was pretty fit and versatile positionally. had already kind of, my coach had told me I was recruited as a center forward. I was a nine. ⁓ and used to play in the midfield, sometimes center back if my coach needed me to. And he had told me I'd probably be a winger because I was fast. So I was like, okay, I'll go wherever. And upon getting there, I ended up starting as a wingback. So we played in a 3-5-2 formation, which was also new to me. And then being a wingback was very new to me. ⁓ I'd never played that formation or really on the widths of the field much. So I again, just kind of had this growth mindset of, I'm so happy to be getting playing time as a freshman. I'll ask so many questions. I did so much film with my coach to just try and learn this new position. And that's pretty much where I played for the next three years. So for four seasons there, I eventually went to the left side of the field my senior year. But so to your point, I scored goals because I was, I will say I wasn't a

Kate Hanson: For sure. When it was interesting because in an earlier episode, I was talking about you and about how exciting it is watch you play because I'm a really big Colorado Avalanche fan as well. ⁓ lot, Makar he, you kind of remind me of a Cale Makar where we could put him up at center. We could put him on a wing and he's still going to score, but ⁓ his is a defender. And that's your position is, is a defender, but you're still gonna move around, you're gonna find those opportunities, you're going to score. do you think that that's because of growing up and playing offense and, you know, striker and wing, or has it been something that you learned while playing at Georgetown?

Natalie Means: I think a combination, like I think growing up and always being an attacker, a forward, I just have that in my head that I want to score goals. I want to be up the field creating dangerous attacks. And then I think at Georgetown being as a wingback, I kind of had to adjust my style of play and learn how to pick the right moments of when to attack, when to dribble, pick the moments of when to stay back. So learning that balance of, okay, I am a defender, but I'm also a forward. When do I do what? And so when I started having conversations with Denver Summit and Nick and the scouters, scout and recruiting that we work with, they all liked that I have that attack mindedness, but they saw me more as of course being a fullback in a 433. So they are hoping and still were, you know, they see that I'm more of an attacker. So as a fullback, it's picking those moments of.

Kate Hanson: Mm-hmm.

Natalie Means: When can I go forward? When can I attack without leaving the back line vulnerable? So that's kind of what I'm trying to bring my own ⁓ mindedness to the position of a defender, which I've never really been a true defender before.

Kate Hanson: Do coaches ever pull you aside and say like Natalie maybe still stay back a little bit more or have they really been encouraging you just if you see the opportunity take it

Natalie Means: hahaha Nick especially has been very like if you see the opportunity to take it he's he's such an attack minded coach and his whole style of plays he wants to just attack attack attack as much as we can because the more we're threatening another team the better for us so he's been it's it's a good style for someone like me I think to come into of their wanting me to attack they like when

Kate Hanson: Yeah.

Natalie Means: Fullbacks, mean, Janine and Carson are also such attack-minded players. When we can get up the field and be getting crosses in the box and stuff like that, that's what they want to be seeing from fullbacks.

Kate Hanson: Yeah. Well, before we move on to playing professionally, that always your goal? Was it to play D1 soccer? Was it to play professionally? Georgetown isn't typically known for being like a huge soccer school. It's more known for basketball and academics. So let's talk about kind of what were your goals as a kid growing up? Were you looking to have this, was that on your dream board?

Natalie Means: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, playing professionally was always the dream of mine. And ⁓ playing division one soccer too. And I think a part of my recruiting process, to your point, Georgetown isn't usually a school that you think of ⁓ lot of professional soccer players come from there because it's, it's completely true. Most ⁓ the in our team graduate and go work a nine to five job. ⁓ It was COVID, the recruiting process. just don't think I had as much interest as ⁓ most of the players that play pro might have when they were getting recruited. And I think that could have also been, as I mentioned earlier, I was small before COVID. I hadn't grown. I didn't have a lot of muscle on me. So size wasn't really in my favor. And then, so Georgetown was the best soccer school that I... ⁓

Kate Hanson: Yeah.

Natalie Means: was able to go to and again, it's such a great school. So I was so happy to be there and I had the best three and a half years truly. we've had lots of girls go play in Europe. So that was kind of where my head had started going is I didn't expect honestly that the end of SL would probably be an option. I just didn't know because there weren't that many girls ahead of me that I was watching going to the end of SL. So in my head, I had kind of come to terms with like, okay, I'll finish my spring. I'll graduate my senior year. And then in the summer, I'll go play in Europe somewhere. And I was totally excited and happy about that plan. And then after last fall, I had a pretty good season and started getting interest from some end of a cell teams. And that was when I kind of realized, okay, like this is actually a reality for me now, which I didn't expect it to be or know if it, I was hoping it would be, but I didn't know if it would. And so I had to change my mindset of, okay, I'm going to.

Kate Hanson: Yeah.

Natalie Means: leave Georgetown in December and play in the NWSL which is a dream come true. And I'm finishing my degree online right now, so. Yeah.

Kate Hanson: Yeah, like you have all sorts of free time ⁓ between being a professional athlete and finishing your degree, which is awesome. I'm so proud of you for finishing your degree. Take me to what it was like when Denver Summit actually called you. What was that conversation like? You were saying, hey, NWSL might be an option. Let's start preparing for that. But were you expecting a call from an expansion team like Denver? Were you hoping for it? What was going through your head?

Natalie Means: Yeah. Yeah. Thanks. ⁓ my gosh. Yes. Well, I have to preface with the fact that when Denver was announced that they were having a team, I think it might've been maybe two years ago. don't know when it, somewhere on social media, I saw it and I have a lot of family. I have family in Denver and I've grown up visiting Colorado my whole life. I live in California, so it's not too bad of a flight. And so I've loved Colorado my whole life. It's always been kind of like a second home. visited my

Kate Hanson: Yeah.

Natalie Means: aunt and uncle here and spent a lot of time here whenever I could. Even last summer, came from George, I was spending the summer in Georgetown and I was like, I need to get out of the humidity. Where do I go? I came to Denver. So I've always loved Colorado. And when they got announced that they were having a team like two years ago, my family, were all like, ⁓ my gosh, what? How amazing would it be if you could play on the Denver team? And I was kind of like, yeah, it'd be amazing. But we'll see, like just kind of didn't not always it would be a reality for me. Yeah. ⁓ And then this fall, I got in touch with the recruiter for Denver and well, they reached out to me and I was, I don't even remember. I was just kind of like, ⁓ my gosh, is this happening? Am I actually going to be able to do this maybe? And then after our first call, it seems like it was a possibility and I was ecstatic ⁓ and just so excited to be in a city that

Kate Hanson: Tempering expectations.

Natalie Means: loved their sports and doesn't have a professional women's team. So that was just all like, so exciting to be a part of. And then once I had a conversation with Nick and ⁓ saw the type of coach that he was and how his expectations are to win, like his first year, he was like, I don't really care that we're an expansion team, I want to win. And being in that environment was so exciting to me that I just, of course, could not say no. And jumped on the opportunity and I am so happy that I did because I'm so happy here.

Kate Hanson: Well, and you're surrounded by a lot of veterans on that back line. know, Kaylee Kurtz, she has a lot of experience, a lot of minutes, know, Carson Pickett, she's been in the league for a very long time. The back line has a lot of professional experience. What's that actually like as a rookie, just being able to be around these athletes that have been playing in the NWSL for so long? Is it intimidating? Is it helpful? Or is it a combination of both?

Natalie Means: Yes. Yes. Yeah. Mm-hmm. ⁓ Definitely at first I was intimidated, especially since, as I've said, I've never been a true fullback. And so I coming in was kind of like, wow, okay, I'm trying this new position and everyone on the back line is amazing and so experienced and so like I've watched them play growing up, you know, I've seen I've been following that nebisal for a long time. So it's names that I'm very familiar with. And, but then once I met everyone, it was not intimidated anymore. Every, all of the veterans on our team are so welcoming, so encouraging, so helpful. And it's made it so much easier for a rookie coming in, especially learning a new position that I'm, I'm so comfortable asking questions. And I've asked a lot of questions because that's one of the best ways to learn. And I'm asking these questions to these players who have so much experience. So it's, I'm just like, so grateful I get to learn. from them and when I'm watching fullbacks like Carson and Janine, I'm just trying to study and take in everything that they're doing and how I could implement that into my game. And then also playing beside, as Kaylee has mentioned, I played beside her most of preseason. ⁓ And being next to a player like her who communicates so well and she is so confident in everything that she does just helped me become confident in what I was doing. I mean, I couldn't imagine a better back line to be starting my professional career with. I'm so grateful.

Kate Hanson: All right. So what has been the biggest tactical adjustment or mental adjustment from playing in college versus now to the NWSL, the professional level?

Natalie Means: I think the biggest adjustment would just be the speed of play and you know in college it's it's great and that was an adjustment from high school of course but the second I got here and it's so fun to be a part of I love being in these environments where the speed of play is so fast but it's I I tell people who ask this question like the second I take a touch there's gonna be pressure on me right away so that adjustment ⁓ playing a little bit quicker thinking you have to have your thoughts and decisions kind of ahead of time ⁓ And then the other adjustment for me personally, think would just be that, you know, I was a four year starter at Georgetown. And so coming into a team and I was coming in with the expectation of, will play whatever role this team needs me to play. If I don't touch the field once, I'm fine with that. I'm going to learn so much. And I have, I've learned so much. so as a substitute, like my goal is just to come in and bring energy, fresh legs, know that I can run and put high pressure when. The girls who are on the field since kickoff might be tired or need a boost. So I'm just hoping to be that player of I can come on hopefully bring some energy to the whole team, which ⁓ a role that I'm so happy to be playing and so grateful to be getting minutes on the field.

Kate Hanson: Yeah. Well, and you weren't just a four year starter. You did get to wear the armband, the captain armband at Georgetown. I want to just, I'm just curious about this. Being a captain, whether it is in college or professionally, there's a lot more that goes along with that role other than just wearing it during the game. Talk to us a little bit about what being a captain of a team means and kind of what some of those expectations are of you.

Natalie Means: Yes, yeah. Yeah, it was such an honor to be a captain my senior year. ⁓ And I was co-captain with a fifth year who's now at Louisville. So she and I kind of had similar senior last years. being a captain, like one of the biggest things for me was just making sure that everyone on the team, whether you're playing 90 minutes or no minutes, is enjoying practices and games and being a part of the team. Because you don't want soccer to be something that you dread going to. You don't want practice to be something that feels like a chore or travel to feel exhausting. You want to enjoy being with the team and you know, it's more than a game. It's like what we're committing so much time to. I just, know, team chemistry, the culture, like maintaining a healthy culture where everyone is feeling included and important because everyone plays such a specific role. Again, whether that's you're not playing at all or you're playing 90 minutes. Everyone had such an important role in the team and so making sure people knew that. seen that now, like, I will say my senior year at practice we would tend to do the day before the game, you know, starters versus subs ⁓ in 11 whatever. And ⁓ one the things that I noticed the most is, you know, ⁓ the girls that aren't playing are playing against the 11 girls that are starting. You're only good as however ⁓ hard they're practicing, if that sense. ⁓ If they're invested they're still trying and working because they minutes on the field, they're going to make the starters better because the competition is higher. You're playing against good, like all the players in practice are working their hardest. And so that's kind of something that now I'm keeping in my head too of.

Kate Hanson: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Natalie Means: If I don't play in a game, it's fine because I know that the players on the field benefited from my hard work in practice. Like if I'm putting high pressure and I'm pushing the player in front of me, I know that the team's success is everyone's success. So that was something at Georgetown that I wanted to practice and make sure everyone felt invested in that. And then now I'm sort of seeing the flip side of being a sub, which again, it's like, I know that that role is so important too,

Kate Hanson: well, I love that. And I think that a lot of young players, a lot of young girls listen to the podcast. What is a piece of advice that you'd give someone that's maybe in the beginning of their soccer journey and they're maybe they're just now moving up to 11 v 11 and that everyone still gets the opportunity to play right now. But what would you tell them to anyone that's listening right now that's still at the beginning phase of their soccer journey?

Natalie Means: ⁓ the first thing that came to mind is just to never compare your path to another player or another person. Everyone's trajectories look so different. And again, I mean, I'll go back to it earlier. Like some girls, when you're so, when you're talking that young, some girls will grow and be the tallest player on the field and therefore the strongest and they're looking so much better. But then the next player might catch up to them in a few years physically. And then it

Kate Hanson: Okay.

Natalie Means: you know, then the technical becomes important and the tactical and how you think about the game. I and then physicality aside, everyone's paths look so different. You could go to the top soccer school in college, or you could go to a school that barely makes the NCAA tournament and you could still end up playing professional soccer. ⁓ There's just no right way. There's no one path. It's like everyone can end up in the same place. It might just take different amounts of time or different. Everyone has their journeys and challenges and injuries, et cetera. So just never comparing yourself to another player.

Kate Hanson: Yeah. I love that and I think that it's really important to hear because I think that so many players is like, well you have to be on the top team when you're seven years old and then that's your path into getting, you know, to becoming a professional. And it's true. mean, you, like you said before, you sprouted, you know, and you had to continue showing yourself. ⁓ lot of my daughter, it's so crazy, my eight year old.

Natalie Means: Yeah. Yeah. You

Kate Hanson: She is on, I think like in the 95th percentile. She is huge for her age. My other daughter, she is like in the 11th percentile. Like they're almost the same height and weight and they're three years apart. So I mean, everybody has a different path. Everybody will grow at different points. So it's important just to focus in on your own journey to get there. So with, go

Natalie Means: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, people, some people don't play a minute their freshman or sophomore year of college and then they end up being the most important player or not that there's ever a most important player, but they end up being a big impact player, their junior and senior year, and then they get looks to play professionally. Like every, every single person has a different path.

Kate Hanson: Well, one more thing on it, because it's really important. think that a lot of people get discouraged, like, ⁓ well, I'm not starting, so then that's, I'm not playing anymore, like, I'm not just, I'm not good enough. A lot of the best coaches, they were the ones that weren't the best on the team because they were sitting and they were learning and they were asking the questions. And sometimes it just takes someone a little bit longer to get to where they're meant to be.

Natalie Means: Thank Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah.

Kate Hanson: with this early season, we have a little bit of a break, which is good. And I mean, you guys have been on the road. I have a saying before we hit record here that the scheduling committee didn't do you guys any favor, before you guys have this two week break or three week break before your next game against the San Diego Wave, honestly, just your honest take, how do you feel about where the team is right now? Because we have one win against you know, the reigning champions, which is amazing. Our one loss, I mean, no fault of anybody because we played with 10 players the majority of that game. And then draws. Abby Smith is playing incredible and you know, ⁓ insane. Talk to us a little bit about what's clicking and what you feel the team is still figuring out.

Natalie Means: Yeah. Incredible. Yeah. Yeah, well, I think you might have talked about this on a different episode, but defensively, our backline and our goalkeeper are playing incredibly. And Nick has talked to us about, you know, teams are going to get chances on goal. It's just about how you absorb them. And our backline and our goalkeeper have done an excellent job absorbing a lot of great offenses, especially in the last few games. And I think to your point, our first game against Bay, We lost 2-1 and we were a man down. It was our first game ever. We moved past that pretty quickly, I think. And then our next game against Orlando, we got scored on too And then since then, we haven't let a goal in. And I think that that goes to show we had some growth to do in those first two games. But already after two games, you can already see that our backline and our goalie, our goalkeeping is so strong and able to absorb a lot of good.

Kate Hanson: Thank you.

Natalie Means: ⁓ attackers. And then I think offensively, I think we're still trying to click there and we're working on it in practice. it's, know, in preseason, you see we can score goals. We've scored five against San Diego in preseason and Utah, we scored two, I think. And like, we know that we can score goals. It's just, I think a matter of adjusting in the game to the opponent we're playing because you can do as much film as you can. But at the end of the day, it's how you adjust while we're playing the 90 minutes of soccer. And I feel so good about where we're at. And I think so does most of the team and our coaches. We've tied really great teams. This first stretch of games have been some of the toughest competition in the league. ⁓ And we've to have shutouts ⁓ and get on the road. And so looking at our whole season, we're going to have more home games ⁓ with strenuous travel. Yeah, true. I know my I will say my my expectations are like now through the roof. I need we're gonna meet our fans to show up because now I'm like, we're the 63,000 at our game. Like when we traveled to Seattle, I was like, this is no nothing. ⁓ No, but and again, like in the in our Seattle game most recently.

Kate Hanson: Well, I was going say, a little bit of a smaller crowd too. It's not going to be 63,000 at every game. I'm sure that was a little bit of a heavy weight too. Yeah. Yeah. Where is everyone? Are they still waiting outside?

Natalie Means: We looked like we were on the front foot in that second half especially. thought we were like down their throats getting crosses in the box and to Seattle's defense, they were blocking everything. Any cross shot, they were blocking it. So they were doing a good job. But I think that us being on the front foot against a team of that caliber this early on in our season on the road is a great sign. So I think myself and the whole team, I mean, not to speak on behalf of everyone, but Nick was. pleased with that result and I think we're all feeling pretty good about where we're at going into this break.

Kate Hanson: Well, that Seattle game was no joke. They were one of the top teams and they'd been scoring goals. They had three wins. So, mean, they were really a team that was on fire to go in and get a clean sheet. I know that a lot of people that maybe don't watch a ton of soccer are like, ⁓ zero, zero. Well, who cares about soccer? It's boring. like, but I don't think you understand. Yeah, like there was still so many great opportunities, a lot of good chances. We were, you could, we.

Natalie Means: Yeah, Yeah. Yeah, not the most exciting. Yeah. Yep.

Kate Hanson: You guys were up against the US Women's National Team goalie. It was a very difficult task. I think that for a team that's been playing together for five weeks, you showed that Denver belongs in the conversation. I think that playoffs is a very realistic goal for this team. ⁓ yeah, I think that we're showing, you guys are showing that you belong.

Natalie Means: Mm-hmm. Yeah. I mean in Yeah, and that's our expectations for ourselves too. We're wanting to like, playoffs is the bar for us and more. Like we want to exceed that, you know? And I think I forget that we're an expansion team sometimes. And I think maybe that's just because maybe I'm a rookie, so I'm like, everything is new. No matter where I would be, it would be all new to me. But truthfully, I forget that we're an expansion team because our expectations are winning a championship our first year. Like, and it's... And we're playing well against these top teams who have had so much success in recent years that we're feeling good. It's like why, who cares that we're an expansion team? Let's, we're, here to compete with the top teams right away. So I forget that we're expansion sometimes. then Nick will remind us like, we're only, we've been together for three months and I'm like, ⁓ it's pretty good. Yeah.

Kate Hanson: Yeah, it's true. It's true. mean, guys are not playing like an expansion team. I like there's a lot of ⁓ and things that aren't clicking just yet. ⁓ The, going to pass back. You make the run. I've seen we've seen that between Ryan and sheehan hand, which makes sense. But I feel like all those type of ⁓ just how the other player plays is going to come very, very soon. I feel that.

Natalie Means: Mm-hmm.

Kate Hanson: second half of the season is going to be watch out Denver Summit, they're clicking. And right now it's just learning how each of you play. Like who runs and who stays back, who zigs when the other zags. with this being your first pro season, inaugural season for the club, 30 years from now, like you were here for all of it. You could say you were here to build the culture, to build the stadium, to build the fan base.

Natalie Means: Yeah. Yeah, totally.

Kate Hanson: the first game, the first win, all of it. What do you want people to understand about this team, this group of players that's on the field and taking the pitch right now?

Natalie Means: ⁓ gosh, well first off, like just thinking about it in 30 years, I'm already right now just so grateful to be a part of it because, and I sometimes it takes my breath away when I think back to the home opener and being on that field and looking up and seeing so many fans and young girls and boys. Like I was honestly picturing myself at that game because I've been at so many big soccer games watching the girls in the field being like, ⁓ I want to be there. And then I was on the field and it was just kind of a moment of awe for me. that's, that game is a game I don't think I'll ever forget, especially it being my first year. and I know some girls, the veterans on our team haven't even experienced that. So that was so special to be a part of. But I think this group of girls, the reason what we're building is special and so far looking successful ⁓ is because we're all like off the fields. really everyone's close, just a good culture between us and the staff too, our whole staff is, all just like healthy competition. ⁓ No one's, ⁓ there's no ⁓ towards anyone in your position. Like it's, everyone is just happy and celebrating anyone's wins and the team's wins. ⁓ I'm not even talking about a three point win, I'm talking about. a you score in practice or an amazing defensive play you have in practice or in a game. Like it's just a very healthy culture where everyone wants to win. And in doing so we're celebrating the success of ourselves, each other in the process. it's just, and then seeing the support that the city has around our team is something that is making this as special as it is because we're just. I mean, I get, I like lose words when I think about that home opener again. Yeah.

Kate Hanson: I mean, it was incredible. And it was the first time my girls who had ever been to Mile High Stadium, never seen a Bronco game there or a concert or anything like that. for them to walk, I remember we were walking in and they're like, wow, this is a really big stadium. Cause we've gone to Avs games, we've gone to, you know, the Rapids games for them to walk in and be like, this is really big and see the fireworks and then parachuting in and then the fly over.

Natalie Means: Is it? flyover, I know.

Kate Hanson: everything. And then I don't know when, when Abby was on, she was like, you guys started like doing something in the stands and the whole stadium was vibrating. was like, ⁓ yeah, that's, you we do that. And she was like, you guys, have to build a stadium at, you know, Santa Fe yard so that you can do that there too. Cause that was incredible. So, I mean, like, I just can't even imagine being on the field for that. all the opportunities that, you know, kids in the stands, hopefully, you know, the, the, the, NWSL is new. It's new ish.

Natalie Means: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Kate Hanson: But you guys are really paving the way for the next generation. And it's, I'm sure that there was hundreds of kids that were there that were like, I could maybe do this one day. So, special moment for ⁓ of us there, ⁓ if we were in the stands, not on the pitch. ⁓ last question. ⁓ is one thing that you're working on right now? Like what part of your game do you go home ⁓ about?

Natalie Means: Yeah. Totally, yes.

Kate Hanson: after training like this is one thing I want to get better at or this is one thing I know I can take to the next level. The Denver fans haven't even seen X from me.

Natalie Means: great question. think for me personally, it'd probably be just defending maybe one V one specifically, because again, as I mentioned, ⁓ always been a forward and then even as a wingback, the defending with its different angles. So even though I was more, more defensive in that position, it's like, I usually wasn't front one V one with a player. was like I was chasing someone down. So it's like learning the different angles of approach and then how to move my feet or change my hips. Those intricacies that honestly in college they don't really focus on because they don't have time to teach people about them. Those are the things right now that I'm working so hard myself and with the coaches and again talking to the girls in the back line. What do I do in this situation? How should my body shape be here? So I hope the fans Soon I'll be making awesome 1v1 defensive plays and they'll see that from me because I, the attack ⁓ that's kind of my strong stuff right now so I'm focusing on the defensive end of things. Yeah.

Kate Hanson: I love it. anybody that see hopefully I'm that we get to see you take the pitch a little bit more regularly soon, because ⁓ what I saw in preseason, think that it's going to be exciting to see you the the field because it's unique. And hopefully we see you scoring goals and shutting down, people that are on breakaways and. ⁓ I think it's gonna be great to have you a part of this team for the next few years. yeah, yeah. Well, Natalie means number four, Denver Summit rookie from Georgetown. Be sure to keep up with her. Follow her on Instagram. Natalie, where can people keep up with all of your happenings and become a super fan?

Natalie Means: Thank you. Yeah, my Instagram is Natalie Means underscore, I think. ⁓ And yeah, no, thank you so much for having me. I was so happy to just talk soccer and summit and how I got here because I'm again, so happy and grateful to be here. I love this city. I love my team and all the fans are so amazing. So I'm so excited to have more home games coming up and I'm just so excited for the rest of the season and yeah, what's to come.

Kate Hanson: Well, OK, I did say last question, but I have to ask you, have you made it out to to Red Rocks or any of like those key places in Denver? Like where somewhere that you maybe haven't been to in Denver that's kind of a Denver staple that now that you're living here, you're able to go and check it out and really see that Colorado landmark.

Natalie Means: Sure. Yeah. Yeah, I hiked Red Rocks years ago when I was visiting when I was young with family, but I haven't been to a concert there and that's top of my bucket list is to see a concert at Red Rocks. So I think this summer that might be on my schedule. Just this weekend we hiked, I think it was called St. Mary's ⁓ Idaho Springs. Yes, Glacier, that was beautiful. So I loved seeing that. ⁓ What else is on my list to do? ⁓

Kate Hanson: St. Mary's Glacier.

Natalie Means: I, this summer I'm going to go white water rafting in Glenwood Springs because my brother, my brother actually works there. So if any of you go to Glenwood Springs, you can look out for another means. He's my twin. So maybe we'll look alike. So, you know, I have some things on my, definitely once summer comes around, the weather will be nice. I want to go out more, but maybe with this international break right now, I'll be able to get some things done. So if people have recommendations, let me know.

Kate Hanson: ⁓ you're gonna love it. Amazing. Well, Natalie, thank you again so much for joining me on the 5280 pitch. It's going to be a great season I know this year and it's going to be a lot of fun watching you.

Natalie Means: Thank you so much for having me.