FEATURE: PK Helps Spark Passion for Stahlke
By Robert Sampson
WKU Athletic Communications/Media Relations
At Western Kentucky University, Ali Stahlke has developed into the star defensive player that she never was in high school.
It's not because the Naperville, Ill., native wasn't a strong player in high school, but because her team had multiple elite players. Her Waubonsie Valley High School squad went 74-2-6 during her four-year career, including a 58-match undefeated streak.
Even though her high school team was among the best in the area, the opportunity to play in college is greatly influenced by play with a club team.
"The summer going into my junior year, everyone said this is the year to decide what college you want to go to. My club team was good, but we weren't one of the best ones around. I loved my team and my coach. I didn't want to go to (one of the more elite teams)."
"We still had dial-up internet at the time," said Stahlke. "I sat in the den at our house and researched all these programs. I sent emails to maybe 20 schools and said where I was going to be at. (Head coach) Jason (Neidell) came to one of them and said he liked what he saw but the (recruiting class was full).
"At the time, I told my parents, I wasn't sure about Western Kentucky."
As many players have found on their visit to the WKU campus, Stahlke loved it.
"Another girl that was supposed to come here decided she wasn't going to come. Then Jason offered me a spot.... I went for it."
Now in her fourth year with the team, one of her WKU teammates refers to Stahlke as one of the players on the team that has developed the most passion for the WKU Soccer program.
Although quick to say she doesn't think she has more passion than others on the squad, her passion and excitement for the program is evident.
"I feel I have a lot of passion for this program," said Stahlke. "That has grown. When I first got here, I thought it was great that I was just playing college soccer. Now, after being here for so long and seeing what goes into it and getting to know everyone, being with my teammates and coaches, I really want the team to achieve what we've been working towards."
That vision could come to fruition when the Sun Belt Conference Tournament begins on Wednesday in Mobile, Ala.
"Every year I feel that we have been closer and closer. And every year I feel like my passion has grown, especially this past year, because of how close we were last year in the tournament."
When Stahlke missed a penalty kick in last year's conference tournament, her passion for WKU Soccer exploded. She has previously made three penalty kicks in the conference tournament in previous Sun Belt Conference Tournament games.
"That was a big turning point in realizing the passion that I had," said Stahlke. "I didn't know how upset that would make me. It killed me and then I realized that. I really want this last year for us to put everything together and go out strong.
"In January, once we started working out again, I realized the seniors were gone and there was nothing I could do to go back and make the shot I missed. The more that you dwell on it, the more time you are wasting at getting better. It wasn't until we were in that position that you realize that.
"Our first real workouts back, I realized I am going to put everything I have in this year because I can't go back."
Looking forward, the number of games for Stahlke on the playing field are now limited as WKU enters the Sun Belt Conference Tournament on Wednesday. Stahlke has plans to fill the void in the future.
"I have always had good coaches that I have looked up to," said Stahlke. "I don't want to be done with soccer. It is my one thing I can still do. I am very competitive. I could play pickup games, but its not the same.
"The one thing I think that could compare to playing college soccer is coaching."
