The Tech soccer team’s season ended on senior night after a 2-1 loss to Eastern Illinois on Oct. 21. The team ended the season with a record of 9-7-3. The team scored a combined 21 goals, and racked up five home wins.
One senior stood out among the rest, goal keeper Kari Naerdemann.
Naerdemann is from Herne, Germany, and moved to Tech in 2015.
“I came here because I really like the coaching staff,” Naerdemann said.
Coaches for the soccer team include Steve Springthorpe, Corey Boyd and Kelsey Brouwer. Naerdemann works most closely with Brouwer, the goal keeper coach.
This season Naerdemann played for a combined 1555 minutes and two seconds and started in all 19 games of the season. She ended the season with six shutout games.
Naerdemanns’ career statistics:
- As a freshman, Naerdemann started in all 19 games, and played a combined 1,935 minutes for the Golden Eagles.
- As a sophomore, she started all 21 games, and played for a combined 1,985 minutes.
- As a junior, she started all 17 games of the season, and played for a combined 1,612 minutes.
Naerdemann received the OVC Defensive Player of the Year award for her first three seasons as a Golden Eagle. She is the first player in Tech history to receive the honor more than twice. She also was awarded first team all-OVC honors for all three years. As a freshman she was named team MVP, and as a sophomore she was named Tech female athlete of the year.
This season Naerdemann had to adjust her leadership role, due to her young and inexperienced defensive line. The entire defensive line from the previous season all graduated, so new players had to step into the position.
“I really think this season has been good for them,” Naerdemann said. “I think they will be really good next year.”
Naerdemann said she plans to play at the professional level after she graduates from Tech.
I’m beginning to email teams about playing for them. I would really like to play in Sweden,” Naerdemann said. “I want to see more of the world while I have this opportunity.”
