Women’s Soccer: Introducing Caralee Keppler
October 07, 2009 09:18 AM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
October 7, 2009
Throughout the 2009 season, MSNsportsNET.com will get to know the nine freshmen on the West Virginia women’s soccer team. Today’s edition features defender Caralee Keppler.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Enrolling in college early is not for everyone, but it can pay huge dividends for some student-athletes, barring the right situation and the right timing.
For West Virginia women’s soccer player Caralee Keppler, getting an early jump on college was the right fit.
“I fell in love with WVU once I got here,” said the Rockville Centre, N.Y., native of the recruiting process. “I knew pretty much right away, this is where I wanted to go to school and play soccer. In fact, I think my mom was just as impressed and wanted to come to school with me.”
Keppler was so impressed with what Morgantown and Nikki Izzo-Brown’s program had to offer, she decided to graduate early from high school and enroll at WVU in January 2009.
An early graduation meant missing out on traditional hallmarks of prom or other formal ceremonies, and passing up her final season of high school track and softball where Keppler was an all-conference performer.
Oddly enough, the decision was fairly easy for the 5-foot-7 defender. Keppler welcomed the thought of an extra semester on campus to adjust academically and athletically.
“I was just really excited about the idea to be honest,” recalled Keppler. “It was in the summer and Nikki (Izzo-Brown) had mentioned it was possible after looking at my transcript and everything.
“It was a bit of a surprise to know that Nikki had so much faith in me to possibly bring me in early and get me ready.”
Despite being a bit overwhelmed, an anxious Keppler was quick to respond.
“‘Yes, I automatically want to do it,’” said Keppler. “Nikki said ‘well, talk to your parents and see how they feel first.’”
The simple, yet dynamic, question fielded two different answers from her parents Don and Caron.
“My dad was like ‘well, are you sure you want to do that?’” laughed Keppler. “He is always the more laid-back person who wants to think things through and look at every possible angle.
“Then my mom was like ‘that is awesome. You get to go early and play early at the place you want to be at.’”
In the end, the trio was in agreement on the difficult decision.
“They knew how much I was committed to WVU and were very supportive,” said Keppler. “We were all on the same page and thought it would be best to take advantage of that opportunity.”
Now deep into her freshman season with the Mountaineers, looking back the opportunity of an extra semester, it was more than helpful.
“I needed those extra few months. I played sweeper in the past and the center back position was totally new to me,” said Keppler. “It is now so much more organized and you have to be in the correct position at all times or you pay dearly.”
The extra work paid off as Keppler started the first seven matches of this season. She was one of three first-time starters along the back line. The defense posted three shutouts and was a major factor in West Virginia’s win over then fifth-ranked Penn State on Aug. 29.
“The defense is getting better each time out,” said Keppler, one of four freshman starters. “My communication is not great but it’s getting better.
“The mental part of the game is much more difficult than I anticipated. I would have not been ready to play if I didn’t come in early.”
Aiding Keppler in the transition has been her center back counterpart, Nicole Mailloux.
“I have tried to look up to Mailloux because she is a senior. She has been good at teaching me the ins-and-outs of the position,” said Keppler, a pre-forensics major. “She has been good at telling me to relax and just breathe when times get a little bit hard.”
Keppler brings speed, size and athleticism to the field – all perfect qualities for a defender.
“My strength and my speed are probably my best qualities. Soccer-wise, I’m just okay,” laughed Keppler. “I don’t have the best of touch at times but I think my effort can make up for certain things. I’d rather go hard and plow over someone. That is fun to me.”
She also posses a “tough-guy” mentality coaches look for in their final line of defense.
“I’d rather go up against a solid, 6-foot forward, than an average sized player,” said Keppler of her physical play. “I like that challenge of saying ‘hey, you’re not going to beat me.’”
Like most choices in life, graduating early can have its ups and downs. More importantly, it’s how you educate, plan and follow through on your decision that counts.
Early indications have found Keppler’s choice to be the right one, one as comfortable as the moment she first heard the possibility.
“I have no regrets whatsoever,” said Keppler. “I love it here.”
