“Not long after that, the team folded,” Kennedy-Eversmeyer said. “The timing of my soccer career never seemed to click, and that’s a big reason I’m as involved as I am with Fire & Ice. Soccer has been such a big part of my life and this is my way of trying to give back. I wanted to create an opportunity for women to keep playing after college and we’ve enjoyed an incredible five-year run.”

An amateur team that includes players from ages 19 through 29, Fire & Ice outscored opponents 44-5 this season and earned its first trip to nationals by knocking off TTI: WPSL Bluebonnets of Texas 4-1 in overtime and GSI Pride of Kansas City 2-0 for the Central Division crown on their home field at Belleville West High.

“It was our second division title; we won in our first season, but the playoff format then required you to play one more game before nationals and we lost,” Kennedy-Eversmeyer explained.

Kelsey Dinges, who starred at Althoff High and Miami (Ohio), scored both goals in the win over GSI Pride and carried that momentum into the final four at SilverLakes Soccer Complex the following weekend in Norco, Calif.