Soccer Saint bluegrass-bound

BY SCOTT HADDOW

Wherever she goes, Sudbury's Emily Rogers makes a lasting impression.

Blessed with blazing speed and a pinpoint accurate shot, Rogers has become a dominating soccer player locally, provincially and soon internationally.

Last year, Rogers played for the Sudbury Panhellenic Under-16 squad. The team struggled to find consistency and ended up being regulated out of the top provincial soccer loop, the Ontario Youth Soccer League (OYSL), for 2007.

As an opponent, Rogers made her biggest impression on the Mississauga Dixie Saints club.

Team officials were always impressed with how Rogers conducted herself on and off the field, and how her keen talents allowed her to stand out from a crowd.

For the 2007 season, the Dixie Saints extended a rare offer to the Sudbury striker, making room for her on their roster so she could continue to compete in the OYSL and be seen by top college and university scouts, from both the NCAA and CIS.

"We thought it was a shame the Sudbury girls weren't going to get the chance to compete in the OYSL," said Mississauga head coach Tony Ronca. "There's many talented players...but Emily was one that always stood out from our perspective. We had a spot for her and she took it and was deserving of it. We respected Emily for many reasons...she was classy and humble and extremely skilled."

Rogers made her way to Niagara Falls to live with a teammate so she could practice and train with the team full-time.
It's a move she would do over and over again.

"It keeps me in the highest provincial league...exactly where I want to be, so I am happy," said the 17-year-old. "This will really excel my game and push my limits as a player. It's going to be a good life experience for me."

Rogers played in several showcase tournaments with Mississauga and made an impression on plenty of universities.

The University of Kentucky, an NCAA Division I school, was so impressed they came knocking on Rogers' door.

"Because of the exposure, I made a verbal commitment to go to Kentucky in two years on a full scholarship," said the Grade 11 Lockerby student. "I committed early, but it's a relief knowing where I will be going and what I have to do now to prepare for it."

Rogers received offers from six other schools but picked Kentucky because of the soccer and academics programs and the campus, which she has already visited.

Rogers has blessed Mississauga with another high-powered all-around weapon.

"Her speed stands out...she's just explosive," said Ronca. "She's gifted, responds quickly and has quick instincts. She's been a real positive for us and a definite asset."

Rogers is hoping for big things with Mississauga.

"I want to prove I am the same player I was with the Sudbury team," said the striker. "I'm hoping to stick out. I will play offence, defence...whatever they want me to play. I like to be challenged as it makes me a better player. If I stay on offence, I want to be a top scorer. If I am on defence, I want to defend against the other team's best players and shut them down. I will also try to be a leader."

Rogers still has another year of high school soccer to play before leaving for Kentucky. This has opposing goalies shaking in their cleats.

This past season, Rogers tore up the high school AA/AAA loop by scoring 13 goals in just five games to lead all scorers. The next closest had four goals. She helped Lockerby win the city championship.

Rogers doesn't plan to coast next high school season.

"Even though I have a commitment, I am not going to slow down and take it easy," said Rogers. "If anything, I'm going to play harder and give my best. I pride myself on my ability to finish...so I will work on that as well."

Rogers has great potential thanks to her maturity.

"I first started coaching Emily when she was 12 and at the time she was mature beyond her years," said Panhellenic U-16 coach Giuseppe Politi. "I chose her as one of my captains because she was able to understand what I was looking for and lead by example. She has the potential to succeed at Kentucky. On her best days, she can be problematic for any provincial/national level players."

Rogers plans to be fit and razor sharp come the fall of 2008, when she will attempt to take the NCAA by storm.

"I am dedicated to improving my conditioning and fine tuning my overall game...so I will be prepared for the competition in the NCAA," said Rogers.