Courtesy of Ella Roesch

Posing with her team on the champions stage, sophomore Ella Roesch holds one finger up, indicating that her Lou Fusz Blue team won first place in the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships June 26 in Saginaw, Mich. Roesch’s team beat out teams from 15 other states, all located in the Midwest, beating Iowa Rush 3-1 in the finals. “The first goal of the game was my favorite part because I got the assist. The one who scored was one of my good friends on the team and ran right to me. We practice our celebrations, so we showed off to our parents. It was a lot of fun, but after celebrating, it was back to game time,” Roesch said.

Looking at the field in front of her, sophomore Ella Roesch hears the first whistle blow in Saginaw, Mich. for the final game that week during the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships. Roesch’s Lou Fusz Soccer Club team is taking on Iowa Rush in the Championship game.

Roesch’s team played five games in five days from June 21-26. They lost their top scorer to injury in the first game of the tournament; their best defender also sidelined in the semifinals. Playing shorthanded, Lou Fusz persevered through their final game that week.

“The [championship] game was scary at first. Once we scored our first goal at the end of the first half, we all got hyped and knew we were one step closer to becoming regionals champions,” Roesch said. “In the second half, Iowa Rush ended up scoring a goal to make it 2-1, so when it got to that point it was scary, but we came back and scored [again]. For the last seven minutes or so, all we were doing was getting the ball and kicking it as far as we could down the field. That part was very scary because it was so intense.”

The final whistle blew, and the game was over. Lou Fusz ‘03 Blue wins 3-1 over Iowa Rush. The victors rushed onto the field and embraced. Playing Laura Branigan’s “Gloria” over their speaker, Roesch’s championship-winning team approached the stage to receive their medals.

“It was one of the best experiences I have had in my life, and by far the best one for soccer since it was such a big tournament, and we had won the whole thing. It was an awesome experience that I got to have playing with them. They are a great group of girls. If I could have the chance to keep playing with them I would,” Roesch said. “We walked onto the stage to receive our medals and–wow, it was so cool–I felt so professional. I held the plaque and kissed it, which I will never forget. It was like winning a small Stanley Cup.”

Roesch’s passion started when she saw her older sister, playing through Catholic Youth Council (CYC) soccer for Christ, Prince of Peace Catholic School (CPOP) growing up. 

“Soccer has been my life since I was three years old. It has made me into the person I am. Soccer means everything to me; I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t play it anymore,” Roesch said. “I love the competitive part of soccer and how you can always get better by working hard. I’m always down for good competition, and soccer always brings that.”

Roesch’s pre-game routine stayed consistent throughout her season: listening to music and writing a bible verse that reflected her feelings for that day, then praying once more before she arrived at the game.

“Incorporating religion into soccer helps me tremendously. Knowing that God is giving the strength that I need while I play helps me. It’s not like it is just me playing soccer, it’s God and I. He’s looking over me every step of the way giving me what I need either bad or good. It’s all a part of His plan,” Roesch said. “Praying just helps me give my thoughts to God. I like to play soccer with the most clear mind I can.”

Taking hard work and putting it into her routine everyday helps Roesch work on and perfect her  passion for soccer. She believes that not everything is going to go your way, and you need to be willing to work through it.

“It takes grit and teamwork. Without those two things I don’t think any team would be successful with either one. Teamwork is huge in soccer because one person can’t take on 11 people at this age. Grit is hard work and perseverance. The best players are the ones who are willing to go out and practice and work to make them the best player they can be,” Roesch said.

Roesch plans on continuing her career through high school and then college at the Division I or II level. Topping her list of potential schools are Indiana State University and Oregon State University. Roesch also has been attending lots of college identification camps over the school year and training with her team, so she can follow her dream of competing in soccer at a college level.

“What keeps me playing soccer is what it teaches me as well as what it can do for me in the future,” Roesch said. “It has taught me a lot of things like work ethic, patience, leadership and how to work with a team. I also want to play at a high level in college, so that is a reason I keep working hard and playing the game I love.”