The Northern Star took five minutes to get to know NIU women’s soccer player Jestina Orlando.

The junior transferred to NIU after playing for two years at North Dakota State University. While there, the forward was the team’s leading scorer in 2006 with 14 points and tallied five goals – including two game-winners – and four assists.

Orlando, who went to Maine South High School, has a team-leading two goals this season, including a game-winner against IUPUI on Aug. 31.

Northern Star: How long have you been playing soccer?
Jestina Orlando: Since whenever you can start. At about four or five years old. I grew up playing all sports. I started peaking in high school. I also played basketball, but I wasn’t growing anymore so I started focusing on soccer.

NS: How was your soccer experience at NDSU?
JO: The soccer experience was good but the level of competition wasn’t what I wanted. The school wasn’t able to compete for the NCAA Tournament. They were just made into a Division-I school two years before I got there and were on sort of ‘probation.’ Even if they won the conference they couldn’t compete in the NCAA Tournament. We wouldn’t have been able to compete until my senior year.

NS: Why did you originally choose to attend NDSU?
JO: I didn’t want to stay anywhere around here. I wanted to go somewhere where no one would go.

NS: How does NDSU soccer compare to NIU soccer?
JO: It’s a lot more aggressive and faster play here. We have great coaches. The girls overall work a lot harder here. [Going to NDSU] was a life experience. I met a lot of people and I don’t have any regrets. Fargo is kind of like DeKalb. It’s like, secluded.

NS: What are your plans for after graduation?
JO: I want to be a teacher and open my own day care and I want to definitely keep playing soccer.

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