Her Side of the Pitch is a biweekly podcast hosted by professional football players Nicole Kozlova and Emily Gray. Join us as we chat all things women's football—sharing stories of success, struggle, and everything in between. With guest appearances from players, coaches, and industry insiders, we dive into the challenges and triumphs that shape the game. Whether you're a football fanatic, a player yourself, or just passionate about empowering women in sport, this is your go-to place for all things football.
In this episode, we talk with special guest Ava Veith, a former teammate on the Virginia Tech Women Soccer team, about her unique journey in football. Ava once dreamed of playing on the pitch at the top level, but over time, her path led her to a different role, taking care of the pitch itself as a turf grass expert. She shares how her love for the game never changed, even as her role did, and how she now works behind the scenes collecting data and keeping the field in top shape. Ava also talks about the importance of being a good teammate and playing your part — no matter what that part is.
2 Jul 2025
Episode 13: Summer Break Catch Up
Hosts Emily and Nicole share personal updates after the season break, discuss international soccer tournaments, and analyze the EUROs in this episode.
28 May 2025
Episode 12: How It All Started
Hosts Nicole and Emily recount their formative football experiences, exploring the pivotal moments and influential figures that ignited their enduring passion for the sport in this interview episode.
13 May 2025
Episode 11: Learning to Switch Off
In this episode, Emily and I dive into the emotional rollercoaster that comes with living and breathing football. From the daily grind to the highs and lows of the game, switching our brains off isn’t always easy—and honestly, we’re still figuring it out. We open up about the tools, mindset shifts, and small wins that help us create space when we need it—because sometimes, the best move is knowing when to take a step back. Whether you’re deep in the season or just deeply obsessed with the game, this one’s for anyone trying to find a bit of balance in football life.
28 Apr 2025
No Playbook for This - Ft: Michele Vasconcelos
In this episode, we’re joined by the incredible Michele Vasconcelos, whose football journey is nothing short of inspiring. Murph reflects on her standout college career at BYU, where she not only excelled on the field but also met her husband. After being drafted 11th overall into the NWSL, Michele faced an unexpected turn — she found out she was pregnant. She welcomed her daughter, Scarlett, and made a remarkable return to professional football at a time when there was little to no structural support for mothers in the sport, predating the current CBA. Michele’s resilience doesn't stop there — she has battled back from two torn ACLs. Her story is one of perseverance, passion, and breaking barriers for the next generation.
14 Apr 2025
Episode 9: Trust the Process
In this episode, Emily and Nicole get real about one of the toughest parts of being an athlete: not getting the playing time you have worked hard for. They open up about moments of frustration and doubt, and how they chose to respond—with patience, resilience, and relentless work.
Their stories are a reminder that football can change fast, and when the opportunity comes, you’ve got to be ready to grab it. They talk about proving themselves right, staying locked in on what they could control, and being good teammates through it all.
Whether you're riding the bench or riding a high, this episode is about staying grounded, trusting the journey, and never letting your circumstances define your mindset.
7 Apr 2025
College Recruitment 2.0 - Ft: Yuliia Khrystiuk
In this episode, we’re joined by Yuliia Khrystiuk, who shares her incredible journey from Ukraine to playing Division 1 soccer in the U.S. She talks about what it was like to leave her family behind, step into a completely unfamiliar world, and face the pressure of learning English. It was not an easy road and even had a thought of giving up. But she didn't. Now, she’s thriving and grateful she stuck with it. Yuliia opens up about the tough moments, the wins, and what kept her going.
31 Mar 2025
Episode 7: College Recruitment
In this episode, Emily and I catch up on our football now that both our seasons are in full swing. We dive into all the excitement in women's football, including some wild UWCL results. Then, we break down our college recruitment experience, sharing tips for anyone looking to play D1 soccer. It’s a scary and overwhelming process with a lot of unknown, but we hope that by sharing our stories, we can offer a helping hand.
17 Mar 2025
Growth
Join us on Her Side of the Pitch as we catch up with our former Virginia Tech teammate, Victoria Haugen—better known as Dori. She takes us through her football journey, from college to questioning whether she wanted to go pro, to the setbacks of not being drafted. After spending a year as a practice player, she’s now stepping onto the field for full 90-minute matches and rediscovering her love for the game. Tune in for an inspiring story of resilience, growth, and the unpredictable path of a professional footballer.
10 Mar 2025
Navigating Life Overseas
Two professional footballers, two unique journeys. In this episode of Her Side of the Pitch, we share our personal experiences of moving overseas, leaving family and friends behind, and navigating the challenges of life far from home. From finding your support system to embracing the evolution of friendships, we dive into the realities of change, growth, and making the most of every moment while chasing our dreams.
3 Mar 2025
Chasing Your Dream
In this episode, we sit down with Jennifer Cudjoe, also known as "Kaka," as she takes us through her inspiring journey from Ghana to the pros. She opens up about the challenges she faced, the sacrifices she made, and her positive mindset through it all
Beyond her career, Jen shares her passion for giving back to her community, empowering young girls in Ghana to chase their own dreams. Her biggest message? No matter what, enjoy the journey.
24 Feb 2025
Football x War
In this episode, Nicole shares both her personal journey and the story of her country. Amid Russia's invasion, she returned to Ukraine to play football—enduring hours of travel, sitting in bomb shelters, and competing in the Champions League. Nicole sheds light on the ongoing struggles her country faces, reminding us that the war is far from over.
14 Feb 2025
Taking a Leap of Faith - Ft: Kyra Carusa
Join us as Ireland International Kyra Carusa shares her incredible football journey, from the highs to the lows, and the valuable lessons she's learned along the way. In this episode, Kyra opens up about overcoming injuries, contemplating quitting football, the honor of representing her family, playing on the world stage at the World Cup, and much more. Through it all, she reminds us that what’s meant to be will always be.
3 Feb 2025
Episode 1: The Why
Welcome to Her Side of the Pitch! In this episode we talk about our why for this podcast, we talk football, we talk about our goals and resolutions for the year, and plenty more!
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
251
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
38
Social presence
0
YouTube
64
Engagement
32
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