Player Feature: Natasha Davenport
- Gabi Vuong
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
Natasha Davenport, outside midfield player for Edgewater Castle FC’s Women’s First Team, has been a versatile player for the team ever since joining the club three years ago. In this part of the Player Feature series, Davenport reflects on her passion for the game, the difference between recreational and semi-professional soccer, and her pride for ECFC.
What’s your earliest memory of playing soccer, and when did you realize you wanted to play it in your adult life?
“My earliest memory of playing soccer was when I was four years old in daycare. The other kids were playing at recess and I came home afterwards and told my parents that I wanted to sign up for soccer. I probably knew I wanted to play [soccer] as an adult when I was five. As soon as I started playing recreational soccer, I fell in love with it. I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”
What was the biggest challenge you faced on your journey to becoming a semi-professional soccer player?
“My biggest challenge was probably my knee surgery during my freshman year of college before my sophomore year at the University of Pennsylvania. It was a tough fight to get back, but ultimately I did it. It’s been a journey since.”
Who has been the most influential coach or mentor in your career?
“My most influential coach is probably my college coach freshman year, Coach Darren. He was a great guy, somebody who I could really look up to. He led the team phenomenally, cared about his players, and really helped me to grow as a player and a person.”
Is there a moment in your career you’re most proud of?
“Probably in highschool during my freshman year, I scored the game winning goal to take us to [the] state [championship]. That’s probably the highlight and the moment that I’m proud of [in my career].
What does your typical day look like during the season vs. during the offseason?
“Offseason, most days honestly pretty much look the same. Usually, I work most of the day. When we’re in season, just add practice in the evening. Otherwise, pretty much the same.”
How do you handle pressure or nerves before big games?
“If I’m being honest, I don’t really get nervous before games so I don’t have a good answer for that one. I’ve been doing this for a long time now, so I don’t think I get nervous anymore.”
If you weren’t playing soccer semi-professionally, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
“Probably playing recreational soccer. I love playing soccer. It’s been something that I’ve loved, like I said, since I was four or five.”
Why did you join ECFC?
“I played coed soccer at The Pitch with [Sporting Director]Nicole D'Agostino. One of our teammates knew Tom [Arnison] and Andrew [Swanson] and they convinced us to try out. We really missed playing full 11s with a competitive team because most of the coed [teams] are usually 7v7 or 8v8. So it’s a little different playing under the lights, being a bit more competitive, and playing the full 11s. It’s something that you don’t get very much of as an adult.”
What has been your favorite memory with the team?
“My favorite memory with this team was probably winning the Region Two Amateur Cup last year. It was a tough game and we fought really hard. It was our first trophy that we’d won and I was really proud of our team and all the work that we put in to get there.”
What is your favorite pregame song?
“I don’t have a favorite song, but my favorite pregame artist is Megan Thee Stallion.”
Who’s your favorite soccer player?
“My favorite soccer player currently would probably be [Lionel] Messi. [My favorite soccer player] of all time would probably be Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento). I think they’re both just incredible with their feet and they’re players I still look up to.”
What’s your favorite pregame meal?
“Coffee!”
What advice would you give to young players who want to continue playing soccer in their adult life?
“Just keep working hard and always stay positive. Stay committed and take things seriously. Always come to everything and bring the intensity to everything that you do.”
