July 17, 2016
Nine freshmen will be joining the Vandy soccer team this fall. Get to know our final three before they make their Commodore debuts!
Full name: Caroline Grace Saltmarsh
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
Position: Midfield
Age you started playing soccer: Four years old
Why did you decide to come to Vanderbilt? I decided to come to Vanderbilt because I liked the team more than any other school I had been to, I loved the town, and could get a great education!
What impresses you most about coach Ambrose? He has made us feel very welcome, comfortable and excited to be a Commodore!
What do you need to improve on to be a better player: Not beating my self up and getting in my own head when I do something wrong.
Has another family member attended Vanderbilt? My great grandmother
Favorite sports team: The Atlanta Braves
Dream teammate: Alex Morgan
Favorite musical performer: Luke Bryan
When I was a kid I tried to be like: Mia Hamm
Favorite sport other than soccer: Basketball or tennis
Favorite movie: Stuck in Love
Nobody can believe I watch this TV show: One Tree Hill
Favorite thing about myself: Outgoing
Dream Date (person): Channing Tatum
My soccer “dream team” would be: The team I have played with all my life and maybe Ronaldo and Messi.
The best tasting food I can make: Pasta
My bucket list includes: Skydiving and traveling the world
Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: LeBron James
Talent I’d most like to have: Ability to sing and dance
Favorite thing to do away from soccer: Hanging out with friends
I’m as good as anyone at: Ping pong
One thing my hometown is famous for: The Coke Museum and the Georgia Aquarium
My best non-athletic talent: Art
What I would do if I won the lottery: Buy a farm and get as many dogs as I wanted
Full name: Taiana Ku’uipo Kamalalani Tolleson
Nickname: T
Hometown: Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i
Position: Goalkeeper
Age you started playing soccer: Four years old
What impresses you most about coach Ambrose? Coach is truly someone with a big heart, and it impresses me that he doesn’t just try to make us great players but he wants to guide us into becoming great young ladies.
What do you need to improve on to be a better player? There is always room for improvement in all areas of play, but one thing I would like to improve on is my communication on the field so I can also help my teammates.
When I was a kid I tried to be like: I always tried to be like Hope Solo on the field, and off the field I always tried to be like my Aunty Ashley who took life on with a positive attitude and always knew how to make anyone’s day.
Why did you choose Vanderbilt: Nashville is truly amazing. Coming from Hawai’i it was perfect, because it wasn’t too small/big of an area. Vanderbilt’s facilities are the best, and I knew I would get the best education and experience.
Favorite sports team: Green Bay Packers
Dream teammate: Hope Solo
Favorite musical performer: Beyoncé
Favorite sport other than soccer: Volleyball
Favorite movie: Goal
Nobody can believe I watch this TV show: New Girl (All time fave)
Favorite midnight snack: Cold Pizza
Favorite thing about myself: My height
Worst habit: Biting my nails
Dream Date (person): Scott Eastwood
My soccer “dream team” would be: The USA Women’s National Team
The best tasting food I can make: Lau Lau, Squid Luau, Kalua Pig, Spam Musubi (all Hawaiian style food is the best)
My bucket list includes: Traveling to New Zealand
Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: LeBron James
Talent I’d most like to have: Ability to sing
Favorite thing to do away from soccer: Going to the beach
I’m as good as anyone at: Juggling a soccer ball
One thing my hometown is famous for: Kona Coffee
My best non-athletic talent: Babysitting
Favorite aspect of Nashville: EVERYTHING
The person I’d love to trade places with for a day: Beyoncé
What I would do if I won the lottery: Buy new soccer shoes, provide my family with anything, and donate it to a charity.
Full name: Lea Christina Waddle
Hometown: Lake Forest, Illionis
Position: Midfield
Age you started playing soccer: Six years old
What’s an interesting or life changing experience you’ve had? I’ve spent the past two schools years working with students with special needs. It has really been a wonderful experience and has greatly impacted my life in a positive way.
The thing that impresses me most about Coach Ambrose: He invests himself in the team as a whole and in each individual player.
Why did you pick your jersey number because: My mom’s jersey number was 4 during her high school and college soccer years
Has another family member played a college/pro sport?
Yes
Father: Tom Waddle: Professional Football player Chicago Bears 1989-1994
Boston College Football 1985-1989
Grandfather: Gino Cappelletti: Professional Football player New England Patriots 1960-1971
Sister: Georgia Waddle: College soccer: Northwestern University (4 year starter) 2011-2015
Favorite sports team: Chicago Blackhawks
The one pro player you wished was your teammate: Lionel Messi
When I was a kid I tired to be like: My older sisters
Favorite part about Vanderbilt: The academic and athletic opportunities
Favorite sport other than soccer: Football
Favorite Musical Performer: Rihanna
Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans
Nobody can believe I watch this TV show: Shameless
Favorite midnight snack: Frozen yogurt
Favorite thing about myself: Ability to play sports
Worst habit: Picking my nail polish off
Dream Date: Liam Hemsworth
My soccer dream team would be: Women’s National Team
The best tasting food I can make: Chocolate chip cookies
My bucket list includes: Going to Australia, skydiving, running a marathon
Favorite athlete to watch in another sport: Tom Brady
Talent I’d most like to have: Singing
Favorite thing to do away from soccer: Spend time with family and friends/travel
I’m as good as anyone at: Arguing
One thing my hometown is famous for: Frozen yogurt shop
My best non-athletic talent: Dancing
Favorite aspect of Nashville: Country music
Superstitions: Wearing certain headbands for games
The person I’d love to trade places with for a day: Selena Gomez
What I would do if I won the lottery: Save the money
