Cincinnati Soccer and International Women’s Day
Guest Contributor KP
There’s an old saying about March, “in like a lion, out like a lamb.” It is often used to describe the weather, but I think it describes qualities of a good soccer player. Both lions and lambs are social creatures who thrive on teams. Both lions and lambs are relentless in their hunt for what they want - although lions want lambs and lambs want grass, but according to the LionKing it’s okay because lions become grass. Also, you want your team to go on the prowl so you can pounce on the ball, at the same time maintaining your herd’s formation to protect yourself - offensively and defensively - against the other team.
March is also Women’s History Month, and March 8th is International Women’s Day. It’s a day to celebrate the economic, social, athletic, and political achievements of women. Although Cincinnati has growth opportunities in the political achievement front - never had a female mayor, governor, representative, senator, or president - Cincinnati has ample achievement in women’s soccer. These Cincinnatians play like lions and lambs. They have been the apex predator, led their herds, and have a wide field of vision in terms of their opportunities and also on the soccer field.
The first group of Cincinnati women worth celebrating are local high school soccer teams who have been on top of their respective food chains. High schools, from both Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, have had recent success in their state tournaments. Cincinnati area high schools are the reigning Ohio champs for both Division 1 (Seton) and Division 3 (Cincinnati Country Day). Since 2017, Cincinnati area high schools have won 11 of the potential 18 state titles across Divisions 1, 2, and 3. Across the river, Notre Dame Academy in Northern Kentucky was the Kentucky state champs in 2021.
The second group worth celebrating are the solid contingent of players in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). There are at least 5 active players from Cincinnati and at least one additional player who plays both here and in Europe who attended UC. The Washington Spirit have three, Ol Reign has one, and North Carolina Courage has one. Vanessa Gilles, a Canadian National who attended UC, plays for both LA Angel City and Lyon. It is likely there are more active players in the NWSL from Cincinnati than there are in MLS - I actually have no idea if this is true, but the only person I know of is Nick Hagglund, and the MLS official page of players born in the US is broken.
A third person worth celebrating is Ashley Barron of the University of Cincinnati. She was named the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Defensive Player of the Year three years in a row. No other player in AAC history - male or female - has ever achieved this. She is both the chief herder of her team and also great at patiently waiting for the opportunity to pounce. While she wasn’t drafted to the NWSL, she does have some options to continue her career post college.
The last person I’m going to highlight is Anna Podojil (Indian Hill High School). Last season Anna became the all time goal scorer and points earner for the University of Arkansas. Even though Arkansas are the Razorbacks, she has treated the rest of the SEC as her herd of wildebeest. In 2020 Anna was a First-Team All-American. A separate fun statistic is that there have been at least 7 First-Team All-Americans - and at least one was a two-time First-Team All-American - from Cincinnati since 1999. The Cincinnati Metropolitan Statistical Area is about 0.7% of the US population. It would be reasonable then if we had only had 1-2 First-Team All-Americans in the same time, but we have had at least 7. In the little bit of research I did, I remember there being like 2-3 additional from the rest of the state of Ohio. So, here’s another reason Cincinnati is on top of the three C food chain.
There’s certainly many other Cincinnati women to highlight. From coaches and support staff who lead their packs to success to one of the best players in the world right now. From - not just moms - but any woman who herds their families to games and practices to the women who come with you to games even though they would prefer to take a cat nap. Today, thank the women in your life for contributing to - or at least tolerating - your enthusiasm for soccer. Also thank them for any non-soccer related social, economic, cultural, or political contributions to your life.