Oct. 7, 2009

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USC Upstate senior goalkeeper Pat Regna has spent every possible minute between the pipes in 2009 for the Spartans. The Rochester, N.Y. native has recorded 45 saves this season and has a GAA of 1.16.

He set a career high with 12 saves at Presbyterian on Sept. 26. Thanks to that career high in the 2-1 double overtime victory at Presbyterian and seven saves in a 3-1 victory over Georgia Southern on Sept. 23, Regna was named Atlantic Sun Defender of the Week.

Regna and the rest of his Spartans teammates recorded the first shutout in D-I history on Sunday afternoon. Upstate battled ETSU to a 0-0 draw in Johnson City, Tenn.

In the 2008 season, Regna started in 11 games, recording a team high 64 saves. His season high for saves in 2008 came at Winthrop when he recorded nine saves.

Prior to arriving at Upstate, Regna was the keeper at Monroe CC. He led MCC to a 13-3-2 record and a Region III Championship in his sophomore season and he earned First Team NJCAA All-American honors.

Regna recently talked with Alex Edwards of upstatespartans.com to talk about expectations for the remainder of the season and the first shutout in D-I history.

Now that the team has one conference match completed, what are the expectations for the team the rest of the season?
We expect to keep getting these valuable points so that we can earn a quality seed in the conference tournament. We were outplayed by ETSU the entire match, but we found a way to come out of the match with a draw. That draw has given us confidence going forward, because now we know we can compete in the league.

What has been your most memorable moment as a student-athlete at Upstate and why?
I would have to say that my most memorable moment thus far was pre-season training this year. Having the 2008 season go the way it did, losing so many games and players was difficult for the entire team. When I arrived for training in the summer, I felt both relieved and confident; knowing the returning players, as well as the new guys would bring a competitive team to the pitch.

Upstate and ETSU battled to a double-overtime tie, the first shutout in D-I history for the Spartans, what was going through your mind in the final minutes of regulation and the two overtime periods?
I was thinking that I have to do anything and everything to keep that ball out of the net. Also I wanted to give my all so we could break what Jason McCabe and I liked to call the "shutout curse."

Prior to arriving at Upstate, you played at the junior college level. What do you see as the biggest difference between the junior college and division I levels?
There are two significant differences that I have noticed. The first is the pace of the game is significantly different and the strength of the players at the D-I level is extremely visible.

If you could spend the day with any athlete, who would you choose and why?
I would like to spend to spend the day with New York Yankee Derek Jeter. He is the captain of one of the biggest, if not the biggest, sport franchises ever. I feel that Jeter and I would get along very well. Maybe I will make a trip to the city this summer and try and catch up with him.

What is the toughest part about your position of goalkeeper? Why?
You have to keep your head up and mind straight after conceding a goal. There are so many goalkeepers out there that are great technically and physically, but cannot progress and get better if their mind is not there.

If you were not a soccer player, what sport would you like to play and why?
I would definitely be playing basketball. I started playing when I was in 3rd grade and played through my senior year in high school. When I went to college I chose to just focus on soccer.

What is one interesting fact about you that people may not know about you?
That's a tough question, but I guess people may not know that half my family lives in Italy. I have been there four times and I am planning on going back this summer after graduation.

Who were your heroes growing up? Why?
My heroes growing up were my two older brothers. There is a significant age difference between us, but they would always make time to spend time with me. We would play soccer a lot and they helped me get to where I am at today.

If your teammates were to describe you in one word, what word would they choose and why?
They would probably describe me as crazy. Off the field, I am pretty laid back, but once I step on that field something inside me goes a bit crazy. I always go out there with the focus of having to put it all on the line and give it my all, because this could be the last time I ever play this game.