Soccer players Voerg, Worley thrive in opposite situations

With the popularity of women's soccer soaring, more and more local athletes are getting the opportunity to make their mark on the collegiate level.

Among those making their mark are a pair of Cape Girardeau natives, Indiana State sophomore Ashlie Voerg and University of Missouri-St. Louis freshman Emily Worley.

After a successful career at Notre Dame, Emily Worley joined the UMSL soccer team. On a veteran squad, Worley has found her niche.

For her, the transition to college soccer came with a twist. After coming to the program as a forward, Worley was moved to defense during the preseason.

"I've completely changed my position," Worley said. "That was hard, but I've enjoyed it."

Worley said the move to fullback was challenging, but her desire to play made the transition a little easier.

"Basically I want to play," she said. "So I'll try anything."

One of the biggest obstacles for Worley through the first few weeks of the season was getting used to the physical demands of college soccer. Even the games themselves became more demanding with the amount of substituting becoming less and less.

"You don't sub, so you just push through it all," Worley said.

The presence of another former Notre Dame soccer player, freshman men's walk-on Scott Wittenborn, has been a help in Worley's adjusting process.

Worley said she and Wittenborn have been classmates throughout their lives and have been helped each other get acclimated to the college game.

"It was nice to be pushing each other every day," she said.

Worley got on the scoreboard for the first time Sunday in a win over Lewis University. The goal was the first of her college career and her first points as well.

For Voerg, playing at Indiana State gives her the opportunity to help build a program from the ground up. The Sycamores are in their third year as a program.

"It's kind of cool being here so young because we can develop the team," Voerg said.

After finishing 8-9-1 last season, the Sycamores have had struggles this year, but Voerg said the future looks bright.

"We're developing really rapidly," she said.

Voerg, a three-time all-district selection and three-time defensive MVP for Central, has found her offensive touch with the Sycamores. With a switch to midfielder, Voerg has four goals this season, including a game-winner. Voerg is asserting herself as a prominent option on an up-and-coming Sycamore squad.

"This is the most goals I've ever had," Voerg said.

Voerg scored her first collegiate goal this season in a Labor Day tournament hosted by Southeast Missouri State University.

"I got to score in front of a lot of fans supporting me," Voerg said.

Noteworthy

Southeast has a pair of local soccer players of its own with junior Julie Wunderlich and freshman Erin Hartmann, both from Jackson. Wunderlich is a regular play-maker and notched a goal in the opener for the Otahkians. Hartmann has seen limited duty in Southeast's veteran backfield.

Central alum Frank McGinty will lead Lindenwood University against 10th-ranked Benedictine in NAIA football action Saturday. Lindenwood is 1-5 with McGinty going 5-of-10 for 105 yards and two touchdowns in their lone win against Graceland University.

J.P. Hall, a senior offensive tackle at the University of Missouri and a Jackson graduate, tore ligaments in his knee during practice and will be out for the season. Hall, who was a backup at the tackle position, saw action in two games this season. Hall was an all-state lineman at Jackson, and was the Southeast Missouri Lineman of the Year as a senior.