Cassie Kaiping, left, has played all six seasons with Fire & Ice SC since the club was founded. [FIRE & ICE SC]

Lindsay Eversmeyer does it all.

She is the owner, general manager and coach of Fire & Ice SC. Six years ago, after she finished a long, successful playing career, she founded the club.

The reason? There were four clubs for male soccer players near Belleville, Illinois but none for women.

“The whole reason I created the team in the first place was that there wasn’t an opportunity here for women,” Eversmeyer said. “I played for a men’s professional indoor team, and I did that because there was no other option. I wanted to bring awareness that there are two sides to this: a men’s and women’s game. I love that we’re promoting the women’s side of the game.”

Her playing career was historic.

Eversmeyer (née Kennedy) was the first woman to feature in the Major Indoor Soccer League. She played for the St. Louis Steamers, a team that she still has a close connection with for promoting Fire & Ice SC.

Even a large group of fans from St. Louis have come to cheer for Fire & Ice SC. The official fan based is called the “Looligans.”

“They support all area soccer, and they’re not picky,” Eversmeyer said. “They love soccer and want to promote it. They bring the drums, scream and yell for us. They have always been supportive from the get-go. They motivate the girls to want to play for them. Our team provides them with a high-level environment to watch.”

Fire & Ice SC, with support from the Looligans and local community members, have found success in the WPSL. The team won the WPSL Championship last season, its first league title, and won the Central Reigion title twice (2013, 2017).

Eversmeyer said the team is looking to continue the success and level of play it had last year.

“It was awesome to win the national championship,” Eversmeyer said. “My goal is to continue to provide the opportunity for women to play here. We want to continue to provide that high level of training for college or go at a higher level. That’s my ultimate goal.”

However, winning another championship is on her list of goals. Although no club has won a WPSL title back-to-back, Eversmeyer said that Fire & Ice SC could do it. But it won’t be easy.

“That’s the team’s goal and that’s what the players want to do,” Eversmeyer said. “Ultimately for me, I want to continue to provide the experience and high-level training environment. That’s what they need and that’s what the college coaches want for their players. My players want to win a national championship again.”

Despite the tough task, Eversmeyer said that anything is possible in the WPSL.

“The mindset of the players that I have and the players coming back is that we think it’s possible,” Eversmeyer said. “I didn't think it was last year, but then we got late into the season and I thought, ‘This team can really do it.’”

However, to get back to the title match – and even to the Central Region playoffs – Eversmeyer and company have to adjust to a new conference.

Last year, Fire & Ice SC was not in the Heartland conference. Instead, the club was part of the Valley conference. However, this year its addition to the Heartland conference has some notoriety.

In the 2017 Central Region playoffs, Fire & Ice defeated Kansas City Athletics to make it to the finals. Now the two clubs are in the same conference, which also includes KC Courage, St. Louis Lions and Des Moines Menace Women.

“It’s exciting to come back against the KC Courage and Des Moines Menace Women,” Eversmeyer said. “The St. Louis Lions are our cross-rival team, so it’s nice to have a derby around. They’re a very, very good team. Hugh Williams always puts a really solid team on the field, so that’s exciting.”

As for putting together a team, Fire & Ice SC is one of the first WPSL clubs to release its full roster. Among its roster, Eversmeyer has five players from the University of Missouri among its returning players.

“Returning players is a big deal, especially when you come back from a national championship winning season,” Eversmeyer said. “From Mizzou, we have their goalkeeper Kelsey Dossey. Sarah Luebbert has U.S. National Team training camp experience and was the SEC Freshmen of the Year. Kirsten Davis from Texas Tech University has U.S. national team training camp experience, and we have her teammate Carly Wickenheiser.

“Also coming in that’s new is Haylee Eastridge, a forward, and she can play anywhere on the field.”

Cassie Kaiping is another player who Eversmeyer is excited to see return. The defender from McKendree University has featured for Fire & Ice SC for all six seasons.

Also with the club is assistant head coach Jarius Holmes, who has been with the club since its founding. Another coach with professional experience, Eversmeyer said that Holmes is a talented soccer player and a great technical trainer.

“You can just tell when you talk to him that he’s supportive of the team,” Eversmeyer said. “The girls love him. I trust him, and that’s the biggest thing. He’s going to be there for us no matter what. He’s a great support system for me. We have a very good relationship.”

Eversmeyer is happy she can field a team and put a stamp on the league. She thanked the WPSL for giving women a chance to completely play the sport they love.

“I think it’s a great chance for them to train with other talented women in the league and play against them as well,” Eversmeyer said. “I really appreciate it for providing the opportunity. When I was younger, it wasn’t really there.

“It’s been great for the players and great for me as a coach.”