A pair Southeast Missouri State soccer student-athletes are national champions. Senior goalkeeper Kendra Lierz and junior forward Lauren Kaempfe helped lead the Belleville, Illinois-based Fire and Ice Soccer Club to the Women’s Premier Soccer League Championship two weeks ago in San Diego.
The non-professional WPSL is the longest currently-running women’s league in the country and features more than 100 teams nationwide.
Fire & Ice capped off its perfect 12-0 season with a 2-1 victory over Gulf Coast Texans in the championship match.
Both Lierz and Kaempfe claimed their experience this summer has been invaluable for their individual development, citing the speed of the games and the experience of the players.
The Redhawks Soccer team began its fall camp last week and will host its lone exhibition match this evening at Houck Field against Central Arkansas. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. and admission is free for the exhibition game.
This year’s roster includes 17 returners, nine of which were regular starters in 2016. Notable players returning include Lierz and 2016 Second Team All-OVC/All-Newcomer Team midfielder Esmie Gonzales.
Lierz will look to break several career goalkeeper records during her senior season including saves, wins, and solo shutouts. She broke the goalkeeper minutes played record in the season finale last year.
The Redhawks Soccer home opener will be Sunday, Aug. 20, against Illinois Springfield, and the first 400 fans will receive a special edition eclipse-theme glow-in-the-dark t-shirt, courtesy of Burrito-Ville.
Follow Redhawk Athletics on Twitter @GoSoutheast.
