Thoughts from the Gaffer on Maddy Waterhouse
When I first met Maddy, she was hanging out with some soccer players from Germany. One of them said, "She is a player coach, you should get her." So, I turned and said, "What is your plans?" She told me she was going to another school. I smiled and walked away, a few minutes later as I was talking to the assistant to the dean, I realized she was registered here at Iowa Lakes. So, when I saw her again, on my way to my office, I asked her about that. Then I said, "You don't want to transfer, you want to stay home and play soccer." She smiled, but I felt like she was not taking me seriously. So, I added, "I am joking, but also serious, if you want me to be."
A few days later she called and asked if I was serious. I said yes and arranged to talk with her and mom. Then I went to do some research. She played high School at SLPO, she scored 38 goals with 14 assists in her final two years. She had a few Jucos offers but had been out of High School for two years. So, I told her, it will take some hard work to get you back to your level, and more still to get you up to the level needed for our team. She said she was excited to try.
When we started training camp she came in fit, she told me since she has committed, she had been working out. Camp was hard, but she showed that she fit in athletically. The Jamaican striker I had expected to be the starting #9 could not get here. So, she had a chance to start.
After three scrimmages and two games, Maddy had started all five games, her ability to run and pressure opponents helped us set the identity of the team. But she had zero goals and zero assists.
Right after a shot of hers went wide, in the first Half of the Western Nebraska game Coach Nick commented, "we got to get her the first college goal." He did not know what was about to happen. Early, in the second half a lose ball in the opponent's goal area, and Maddy used her anticipation and athleticism to do just that, score her first goal as a Laker. I asked her how it felt after the match and she said it was, "A big relief." Then just minutes later she made a brilliant touch up over the defender, sending a teammate in on goal for her first assist. We won that game 3-0. But then, two days later, Vs St. Louis she scored two more goals, both great strikers' goals. First, she received a cross about 8 yards from goal, faked a shot that made the defender sit down, touched the ball with the outside of her foot, then slammed in a hard shot past the keeper. Then she made a run into the area and hit one touch shot into the roof of the net.
It is amazing to me to see her work so very hard. Off the field she has been a great addition as the only player from the States. It was very lucky that I ran into her that day. It makes me wonder about other local stars out there who are not getting taped to play college soccer. It is not easy, but as Maddy has shown, if you're willing to work for it you can make the jump.
Keep going Maddy! I am looking forward to seeing what else you will do in your restarted playing career!