Kirn signs with Southern Indiana soccer

Posted

Emerson Kirn was in a thankful mood. The St. Vincent senior midfielder was grateful for everyone from her family to her soccer coaches, to her St. Vincent teammates who helped her reach what had become a goal of hers for a long time.

“I couldn’t have made it this far without you,” Kirn said.

She put the proverbial pen to the paper on Tuesday.

Kirn signed her letter of intent to play soccer at Southern Indiana University, and for her it was the atmosphere that surrounded the team, that helped her make the decision.

“I met the coaches and all the girls and it just felt like one big family,” she said.

Kirn will most likely play as a wingback or midfielder when she reaches campus, but for her the position or role is not important.

“Whether I’m a starter or come off the bench, I just want to be able to help the team as much as I can,” Kirn said.

Kirn will be helping a very successful program when she finally steps on the field.

Southern Indiana went 12-7-2 last fall and won the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament over McKendree State in penalty kicks, to qualify for the NCAA Division II tournament.

The Screaming Eagles lost in the first round to eventual national champion and top overall seed Grand Valley State. Going into a program like that can be tough and Kirn understand that.

“There is always pressure when you come into an established program like that,” Kirn said. “But as long as I keep my head down, I should be ok.”

But before she does anything with Southern Indiana, Kirn still has one more year in the high school ranks with St. Vincent. Like all spring sport programs, the Lady Indians did not get a chance to play in 2019. The Indians have three consecutive trips to the Class 1 state championship game, winning two state titles. Kirn still has high schools for her final season.

“Everyone wants to be a state champion again,” Kirn said. “But we just want to have a good season and see where that takes us.”