Jen Anzivino grew up playing soccer for her native Middletown until the eighth grade. She joined the PDA Wildcats as a high school freshman, and had the thrill that year of winning the National Championship with the team. In her four standout years playing for Rutgers University, Anzivino says her most remarkable year was her recently completed senior season. “It was so crazy. We started off strong, and then, there were four ACL tears and a broken leg. Every time someone would go down, someone else would step up. It was so memorable, and so inspiring.”

Q: Can you describe what the whole process of the draft was like?

I was so overwhelmed that day. I was watching with a few girls on my team. At first, Erin Guthrie got drafted to the Bay Area. I actually had an exam, so I was trying to study, but kept watching. Then, my Internet stopped working. First, I got a call from the Philadelphia coach saying they had drafted me. Then, I started getting calls from all my friends. Ten minutes later I got a call from Sky Blue “I don’t want to confuse you too much, but….” It all happened so fast. It wasn’t a total surprise though. I had talked to (Sky Blue FC) GM Gerry Marrone the day before. I thought I might get drafted by Sky Blue.

Q: What have you been doing since you heard you were drafted?

It’s actually been pretty crazy because after the college season, I wasn’t sure I’d continue playing. When I got drafted I went into my ‘crazy mode.’ I started doing doubles (sessions), triples a day, playing as much as I could, and lifting weights and doing fitness. In addition, one day a week I joined Glenn Crooks, Mike O’Neill and Meg Ryan in their youth elite camp they hold at Rutgers, just to get extra touches on the ball.

Q: How did college prepare you for what you might face in Women’s Professional Soccer?

I think college absolutely prepared me. So did PDA (club team). It mirrors the experience now. You know what to expect. And during the four years of college, you get an idea of what you have to do extra, on your own. It helps you to understand all the elements needed to be successful.

Q: You know the challenge of making the team—how do you feel about that?

I’m very nervous and excited at the same time. This week alone has been an emotional rollercoaster, getting ready for preseason next week. Some days, say, fitness is not going well, so I have a little breakdown. In one week, I could either be done or sign a contract. But I am just ready and excited for the challenge. I have no idea what will happen. I feel so overwhelmed with next week. I’m trying not to think past that; I’m just trying to get through next week.

Q: How has Rutgers and the New Jersey community supported or inspired you?

I think overall every person from Rutgers has been awesome. When I got drafted, the first thing I did was go to my coaches, sit down and make a schedule. They’ve been spending time with me, allowing me to come into every single practice. If I say I need 1 v 1 defending, they put that into that practice. The girls are so supportive. I love my team. I think they are just as excited as I am about trying out for Sky Blue.

Q: How do think it will feel to play with the players on Sky Blue FC?

I’ve been to a few games. At the Rutgers soccer camp I worked, we’d bring girls in watch. I was around school, so it was convenient to go to games. I don’t know a lot of the girls on the team too well. I know of them of course. I’ve seen most of them play. It would be an honor to play with them.