Senior Hailey Sampson is off to an excellent start in her final season playing goalie for the Apple Valley girls' hockey team.
Sampson has only allowed nine goals in the Eagles' first four games, helping to lead the team to a 3-1 start. It looks even more impressive considering that five of those goals came against Class 2A, No. 1-ranked Minnetonka.
Here is a closer look at Sampson:
The best movies I've seen in the past year? "The Vow" and "Birdsong."
What three songs do you never skip on your iPod? "300 Violin Orchestra" by Jorge Quintero; "Come Wake Me Up" by Rascal Flatts; "The Scientist" by Coldplay.
What are your three favorite apps? Instagram; Facebook; Snapchat.
Who do you like to follow the most on Twitter, and why? I don't have a Twitter, and I refuse to get one.
Three words or phrases my friends or teammates might use to describe me? Energetic; quirky; nurturing.
How did you get started in hockey? A neighbor asked me to sign up for hockey, but we ended up on different teams and she quit after a year. I fell in love with it!
At my first varsity practice, I felt ... nervous and determined. I felt like I had to show exactly who I was or I didn't stand a chance. I wanted my hard work to pay off so I could contribute to my team.
What is your favorite meal before a game? Eggs, toast, and tea for breakfast, a small carb meal for dinner and an apple while watching the junior varsity play.
What did you work on in the offseason? Being consistent and working on perfecting the little things.
What are your goals for the upcoming season? To have a memorable senior hockey season and do better than last year.
To get focused for a game, I ... play the piano before I leave my house. At the rink, I listen to my "Gameday" playlist, eat an apple and crack a few jokes to lighten my mood.
What is your most memorable moment as a high school athlete? The Section 3 finals [a 2-1 loss] against Eagan in 2012.
How do you balance school and sports during the year? I'm constantly looking ahead to see what's due and what I need to study. Then I finish it before game day, so that I can focus on hockey and not worry about what's due the next day.
If you could change one thing about high school sports, what would it be? Allow students to attend home games for free.
Who is your favorite college or pro sports team? My hometown team, the Minnesota Wild.
When you have time off during vacation, what do you like to do? Sit back with a cup of tea and read a good book or watch a movie.
Do you have a secret talent - and if so, what is it? I've been playing the piano for 11 years and I love it. I also love to sing.
What is the best sports advice you ever received? "You're gonna win some games you shouldn't win and you're gonna lose some games you shouldn't lose ... that's just the way the game goes." - Apple Valley assistant coach Greg Gamache
RON HAGGSTROM
