Defenders are known as the unsung heroes in soccer and that moniker applies without question to the backline of the Ashford University women's soccer team.

AshfordAthletics.com had the privilege of sitting down recently with sophomore defenders Cassie Fitzgerald and Stephanie Spencer, both hailing from Chilliwack, B.C.

Fitzgerald and Spencer, along with senior Samantha Green of Clinton, freshman Brittany Caddell of Calgary, Alberta, Kira Favaro of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, sophomore Mackenzie Mueller of Sycamore, Ill., with goalkeeper Kylie Willet of East Moline, Ill., have been a big reason why the Saints have been stalwarts on the defensive end in an 11-win season to date.

Find out why Fitzgerald earned the nickname "The Destroyer," discover their indirect connection to NBA superstar Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns and learn about an unlucky snowboarding incident in this question-and-answer edition with Canadian hometown friends and teammates.

AshfordAthletics.com: Can you describe the journey from British Columbia to Clinton, Iowa?

Stephanie Spencer: We had played club together in Chilliwack and then we played together at Sardis High School too and we were recruited through that. We went to Las Vegas for a tournament and (former AU assistant coach) Betsy (West) found us there.

You live like two lives. When you go back home, it's like your home away from home and then once the season ends you miss your other home.

Cassie Fitzgerald: So we both came down for a visit and just liked it immediately. I think it was mostly how friendly everybody was on the team. The team took us in and embraced us. At other schools, we met people, but didn't really get to spend time with them.

The first week on campus was probably the hardest because you miss home, but then you get into your routine and stay really busy. You get used to soccer practice everyday again.

AA.com: Describe the Canadian brand of high school soccer. Does it vary that much compared to the American style?

SS: On our high school team, we trained everyday and it was really intense, but coaches don't come out and recruit us at games. They'll just watch your club games.

CF: We had a really, really good coach for high school though. We definitely had a lot of fun.

SS: We didn't really do varsity and junior varsity teams either. It was just one team out on the field.

AA.com: Did your high school team experience a good level of success?

SS: We made what is called "provincials", kind of like what a state appearance here. Grades 10, 11 and 12, will play together. It was in our Grade 11 year that we advanced to provincials and then in last year it was a little bit of a rebuilding year.

CF: Yeah, we had like three seniors after everybody left.

AA.com: What makes you guys so close with the sister-like bond?

CF: We started playing together in the sixth grade and we really started hanging out together in high school in the 10th grade.

SS: We had a lot of the same classes together and were on the same team for about six years.

AA.com: You both are majoring in biology. What interest do you have there?

SS: I'm definitely looking into something in the medical field. I'm not exactly sure yet, but maybe something like sports medicine.

CF: I'm looking into sports therapy or medical school.

AA.com: What do you prefer more? Scoring on the offensive end or stopping a one-on-one breakaway on the defensive end?

(Both): Defense (laughs).

SS: A lot of the time forwards kind of get the glory and recognition, but if you let in a goal on the defensive side, then things get worse in a hurry. I think a lot of good teams are built on good defense.

Cassie is like the destroyer on defense (laughs). I used to play in the middle on defense, but (Head) Coach (Mick) Regan has been putting me on the outside. I kind of like that because you can use more of your speed down the wing. It makes you feel like it's your responsibility to stop the opposition.

CF: Our midfield is kind of built with one sitting back, so Chelsea (Fisher) sets up and I'm kind of more just sitting in front of the defense and I get the ball to Chelsea so she can create something.

I get pretty excited when I see an offensive player coming at me. The adrenaline starts rushing a little bit. I just want to get to the player before she gets to the ball (laughs).

AA.com: How much difference does one year make from being a wide-eyed freshman to where you are now?

CF: You feel more comfortable and you feel like you know your team better. I find just by practicing every day your touch and precision of your passes with thinking on the field have definitely improved. It's just a little bit different playing with a team that you see everyday and you spend a lot of time with.

SS: Over the summer, I was just really excited to come back to Ashford. Last year was a little more nerve-wracking for me.

AA.com: What's the feature of Chilliwack, British Columbia? Any monuments, historical events or tourist attractions out there?

CF: We have a lake up there that we spend a lot of time at over the summer. We also live just right outside of Vancouver so it's kind of like our Chicago. I like the spring snowboarding around February. I've fallen before and had the board come up behind me and hit me square in the head (laughs). Steph was there to see it to watch the whole thing. She said it was really funny.

SS: It just kind of depends. In the winter, there's some really good ski hills and in the summer it's really warm, so we go to the beach. It's just kind of dependent on the weather. January is the best time to go snowboarding.

AA.com: Any other hobbies on the side that you enjoy doing?

SS: I played basketball and field hockey in high school. Actually, Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns) grew up really close to us and his younger brother plays soccer for the Vancouver Whitecaps of the MLS. I met him when I was really little, I think around Grade 3.

CF: I played the saxophone --- in middle school (laughs). We both played on about four different club teams. It's about all we had time for.