DePaul University Athletics
Where Are They Now Wednesday: Ashleigh Goddard
10/21/2020 1:00:00 PM | ATHLETICS, WOMEN'S SOCCER
The two-time Blue Demon captain has assembled an established career in England
CHICAGO – This week, we continue our series of feature profiles known as "Where Are They Now Wednesday" with former DePaul Women's Soccer standout Ashleigh Goddard.
In the middle of each week as we navigate our way around a deadly pandemic, we will bring back a little normalcy into your world reminiscing about some of those favorite Blue Demon players that you cheered on in the days when we could all get loud and rowdy at a packed arena or stadium where no one ever heard of social distancing.
We will get the DePaul community and Blue Demon nation caught up on the life and times of familiar faces who brought you good vibes during their playing days in Lincoln Park.
Some continue to pursue their dream of playing in the pros, both overseas and in this country while others have launched successful careers and started raising a family of their own.
One thing they all share is a deep, abiding sense of kinship and gratitude for the impact on their lives from the DePaul experience and the willing sacrifices of coaches and athletics personnel to kick-start a successful journey while unlocking their vast potential.
We shine this week's spotlight on Ashleigh Goddard who traveled to attend DePaul after growing up in England and contributed to a successful Blue Demon squad from 2010-2013. Goddard made a splash as soon as she arrived in Chicago, earning BIG-EAST All-Rookie Team honors after her debut season in 2010. Goddard made 11 starts and placed fourth on the Blue Demons with seven points.
Goddard went on to start 21 games in both her junior and senior campaigns and strengthened the Blue Demon midfield. She netted a total of seven goals over her final two seasons and the Blue Demons and helped lead the squad as a captain to an NCAA Tournament berth.
After her DePaul career, Goddard traveled back across the pond to play professionally in England. She began with Reading Women FC before moving across the continent, pursuing a number of different professional soccer opportunities. Goddard is now starting her second season with Crystal Palace Women FC in London.
In her own words, Ashleigh brings us up-to-date in this Q & A exchange.
How long have you been playing overseas?
I returned to England after DePaul (2014) and joined:
How much of a season have you gotten through?
I currently play in London, England for Crystal Palace Women FC. We are about 6 weeks into our season.
What have been the highlights for you of your most recent season?
Last season we avoided relegation to stay in the the FA Women's Championship (second highest league in England). I spent majority of the season as captain and was also the team's top goal scorer.
What's your living situation in your area?
I am currently living with my parents and sister (which I am very grateful to have been with my family over the pandemic)… but am actually moving into a new apartment with my friend in a few weeks!
After your college experience in the United States, what are some of the aspects of your time in Chicago that you miss the most?
Everything!! I miss the team, the coaches, the city, the lake, the food... but mostly the family feeling of the athletic department.
What food/activities did you enjoy the most in Chicago?
I miss Chick-fil-A and the Cheesecake Factory. I also miss Allende's & Sweet Mandy B's!
Activities: I miss walking to North Ave Beach through Lincoln Park Zoo.
What did you find that was hard to adjust to when you came to the United States for college and how did you overcome it?
Everything... but I loved it!! I had never even visited the US before taking the big jump to move to Chicago. Anything I thought about US came from One Tree Hill and Grey's Anatomy. I missed my family a lot but I had moved away from home in England to join Arsenal Academy so that helped me adjust as I was used to a lot of phone calls and Skype calls.
How is the situation with the Coronavirus in your country? What precautions are being taken to keep you healthy?
It's very up and down at the moment... we are currently experiencing a sharp rise in cases again so we have just been put into a Tier 2 lockdown in London – we can't meet up with people outside of our household inside, but we can meet up outside up to 6 people. We also have to wear masks in all indoor places.
How has COVID-19 affected your season?
It ended last season 3 months early. This season we have been able to do preseason and are 6 weeks into our current season. No fans are allowed into the stadiums. We get Covid testing once a week and temperature checks every training session and game, as well as wellness questionnaires. Changing rooms are further away from each other, substitutes and staff sit apart, and there are no handshakes before or after games.
What did you learn from your DePaul experience that is helping you now?
Whatever fitness I do, it won't be tougher than what we did at DePaul! It taught me mental toughness and how important team comradery is.
What are the best memories you have of being a Blue Demon?
It is really hard to just pick out one... I loved everything from bonding at away trips and preseason events, to winning games in overtime, to having the honor of being a two-year captain. I think the one that stands just above the rest is the moment we found out we qualified for the NCAA tournament – that was special!
What message would you pass onto current Blue Demons considering a pro career overseas?
Go for it!! The way I looked at going to DePaul or anywhere abroad is that I would regret not giving it a go, and worst-case scenario – you go back home knowing you tried. Not everyone gets the opportunity, so make the most of it.
Finally, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who had any involvement in getting me to DePaul and making my time there a true highlight of my life (particularly all my teammates throughout the years, and of course Erin, Michele & Tina). I will forever be grateful for the experiences and would urge current students to really live in the moment and to make sure their time isn't taken for granted. I'm proud to call myself a Blue Demon alum.
In the middle of each week as we navigate our way around a deadly pandemic, we will bring back a little normalcy into your world reminiscing about some of those favorite Blue Demon players that you cheered on in the days when we could all get loud and rowdy at a packed arena or stadium where no one ever heard of social distancing.
We will get the DePaul community and Blue Demon nation caught up on the life and times of familiar faces who brought you good vibes during their playing days in Lincoln Park.
Some continue to pursue their dream of playing in the pros, both overseas and in this country while others have launched successful careers and started raising a family of their own.
One thing they all share is a deep, abiding sense of kinship and gratitude for the impact on their lives from the DePaul experience and the willing sacrifices of coaches and athletics personnel to kick-start a successful journey while unlocking their vast potential.
We shine this week's spotlight on Ashleigh Goddard who traveled to attend DePaul after growing up in England and contributed to a successful Blue Demon squad from 2010-2013. Goddard made a splash as soon as she arrived in Chicago, earning BIG-EAST All-Rookie Team honors after her debut season in 2010. Goddard made 11 starts and placed fourth on the Blue Demons with seven points.
Goddard went on to start 21 games in both her junior and senior campaigns and strengthened the Blue Demon midfield. She netted a total of seven goals over her final two seasons and the Blue Demons and helped lead the squad as a captain to an NCAA Tournament berth.
After her DePaul career, Goddard traveled back across the pond to play professionally in England. She began with Reading Women FC before moving across the continent, pursuing a number of different professional soccer opportunities. Goddard is now starting her second season with Crystal Palace Women FC in London.
In her own words, Ashleigh brings us up-to-date in this Q & A exchange.
How long have you been playing overseas?
I returned to England after DePaul (2014) and joined:
- Reading, England - Reading Women FC for 6 months
- London, England - London Bees for 3 ½ years
- Copenhagen, Denmark - FC Nordsjaelland for 6 months
- Limassol, Cyprus - Apollon Ladies for 6 months
- London, England - Crystal Palace Women FC starting my second season
How much of a season have you gotten through?
I currently play in London, England for Crystal Palace Women FC. We are about 6 weeks into our season.
What have been the highlights for you of your most recent season?
Last season we avoided relegation to stay in the the FA Women's Championship (second highest league in England). I spent majority of the season as captain and was also the team's top goal scorer.
What's your living situation in your area?
I am currently living with my parents and sister (which I am very grateful to have been with my family over the pandemic)… but am actually moving into a new apartment with my friend in a few weeks!
After your college experience in the United States, what are some of the aspects of your time in Chicago that you miss the most?
Everything!! I miss the team, the coaches, the city, the lake, the food... but mostly the family feeling of the athletic department.
What food/activities did you enjoy the most in Chicago?
I miss Chick-fil-A and the Cheesecake Factory. I also miss Allende's & Sweet Mandy B's!
Activities: I miss walking to North Ave Beach through Lincoln Park Zoo.
What did you find that was hard to adjust to when you came to the United States for college and how did you overcome it?
Everything... but I loved it!! I had never even visited the US before taking the big jump to move to Chicago. Anything I thought about US came from One Tree Hill and Grey's Anatomy. I missed my family a lot but I had moved away from home in England to join Arsenal Academy so that helped me adjust as I was used to a lot of phone calls and Skype calls.
How is the situation with the Coronavirus in your country? What precautions are being taken to keep you healthy?
It's very up and down at the moment... we are currently experiencing a sharp rise in cases again so we have just been put into a Tier 2 lockdown in London – we can't meet up with people outside of our household inside, but we can meet up outside up to 6 people. We also have to wear masks in all indoor places.
How has COVID-19 affected your season?
It ended last season 3 months early. This season we have been able to do preseason and are 6 weeks into our current season. No fans are allowed into the stadiums. We get Covid testing once a week and temperature checks every training session and game, as well as wellness questionnaires. Changing rooms are further away from each other, substitutes and staff sit apart, and there are no handshakes before or after games.
What did you learn from your DePaul experience that is helping you now?
Whatever fitness I do, it won't be tougher than what we did at DePaul! It taught me mental toughness and how important team comradery is.
What are the best memories you have of being a Blue Demon?
It is really hard to just pick out one... I loved everything from bonding at away trips and preseason events, to winning games in overtime, to having the honor of being a two-year captain. I think the one that stands just above the rest is the moment we found out we qualified for the NCAA tournament – that was special!
What message would you pass onto current Blue Demons considering a pro career overseas?
Go for it!! The way I looked at going to DePaul or anywhere abroad is that I would regret not giving it a go, and worst-case scenario – you go back home knowing you tried. Not everyone gets the opportunity, so make the most of it.
Finally, I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who had any involvement in getting me to DePaul and making my time there a true highlight of my life (particularly all my teammates throughout the years, and of course Erin, Michele & Tina). I will forever be grateful for the experiences and would urge current students to really live in the moment and to make sure their time isn't taken for granted. I'm proud to call myself a Blue Demon alum.
Episode 25: Nahla Dominguez
Tuesday, September 16
Women's Soccer vs Purdue Game Highlights
Friday, August 22
Women's Soccer vs. Purdue Game Highlights
Friday, August 22
Women's Soccer vs. Butler Game Highlights
Sunday, November 03