Junior goalkeeper Rachael Murphy played against Olympians and other top players from around the world to prepare for the 2007 Ball State University women's soccer season.
Murphy played for FC Indiana, a semiprofessional team in the Women's Premier Soccer League, the highest level of women's soccer in the United States.
"At first it was really hard to adjust to," Murphy said. "I've never seen anything quite like it. Playing against and with girls that when I was younger I watched them on TV."
FC Indiana recruited Murphy after its goalkeeper, Pamela Tajonar, left the team to join the Mexican national team, Murphy said. Murphy played five games in league play for FC Indiana.
"I was just very intimidated at first," Murphy said. "I was flattered that they recruited to play but very intimidated just because that is the highest level."
Murphy said she was recruited because the team liked her talent when they saw her play and she was a local player.
FC Indiana won the national championship but Murphy was replaced before nationals by a goalkeeper, Kristin Luckenbill, from the 2004 United States Olympic team that won the gold medal.
Murphy said she knew the team would need a higher level goalkeeper at nationals and she did not want to miss her vacation.
"I would have loved to have gone [to nationals] and see and experience the environment," she said. "But I've been going on this vacation ever since I was two months old, so I couldn't pass that up."
While she did not get to go to nationals, Murphy said she was grateful for the time she had with FC Indiana.
"It was really cool playing at that level, just playing at that level and seeing that competition," she said. "It was a once in a lifetime opportunity."
The top players from around the world come to the United States to play in the league, Murphy said.
The talent of the players is incredible as they can place a shot anywhere, she said.
"They don't miss," Murphy said. "They put the ball in the back of the net. They put the ball wherever they want to."
It was harder to defend the goal in practice than during games because of the number of shots, Murphy said. The defense did not allow many shots on goal during games, she said, especially her center defender Elisabetta Tona of Italy.
Murphy said she enjoyed being around people who play soccer as their full-time job.
"Just to be around that passion and love for the game was amazing," she said.
Murphy said she would spend time with the players and that the team was very close. However, Ball State's team is closer, she said.
"There's no comparison to Ball State soccer," Murphy said. "We are the closest team. We're pretty much family. Any team I've ever been on has not even been able to compare to Ball State soccer and how close we are and how we treat each other and how we respect each other."
Murphy said her Ball State teammates were excited for her opportunity this summer but she did not want to flaunt her success.
"She's got this tremendous outlook, great positivity," coach Michelle Salmon said. "Her approach to the team really encompasses our team mentality and that's why she's a great fit for us in goal."
The knowledge Murphy gained this summer with FC Indiana will help her at Ball State, she said.
"I just kept telling myself, 'If I can get used to this, not necessarily excel at this, if I can get used to this level when I come back to Ball State I should be completely confident that I can handle anything that the Division I level brings at me,'" Murphy said.
The Cardinals entered the season as the defending Mid-American Conference champions. Coaches also predicted them to repeat.
After playing every minute in goal in 2006, Salmon said, Murphy brings stability and confidence to Ball State.
"She's a really happy soul," Salmon said. "And she approaches every day like 'I want to get better. I want to do what I can to help the team.'"
Murphy also sets herself apart from other goalkeepers in the nation because of her commitment to physical fitness, her mental approach and her ability to handle the ball with her feet, Salmon said.
Murphy's best attribute is her ability to make a big save, Salmon said.
"I'm glad she's in our net and we're not facing her every week, that's for sure," she said.
Since winning the starting goalkeeper position in 2006, Murphy has missed one game. Murphy did not play Sept. 9 against the University of North Carolina at Greensboro after she suffered a concussion when she was kicked in the head while playing against Florida Atlantic University two days prior.
It was tough to miss the game but it was best for the team and her health, she said.
Murphy said she was proud that sophomore Amy Cleeter got a chance to start against UNC-Greensboro. She said the goalkeepers are a close group.
"We all push each other to work really hard," Murphy said. "And I do not think I would be the goalkeeper I was without Amy Cleeter and [freshman] Ashley Williamson pushing me every single day in practice."
Murphy said she can relate to all the players on the team because she knows what it is like to play and what it is like to sit on the bench.
The Cardinals redshirted Murphy her first year at Ball State and she saw action in two games her second year which was her freshman season.
"After being at those lows, I never take the highs for granted and I appreciate every second," Murphy said.
While it was hard to sit for two seasons, Murphy said, she learned a lot that has made her stronger.
"It's tough when your parents will come to games," she said. "It's tough when people you know ask you if you play or not. It's a tough thing but it's made me ten times the player."
Murphy said she received a package in the mail a few days ago that contained a medal and T-shirt from FC Indiana's national championship.
"I'm embarrassed to say, [the medal is] hanging up in my room," she said.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
