After taking one final lap around Audrey J. Walton Soccer Stadium, fifth-year grad student Cassidy Nurnberger took a moment to reflect on her journey to Missouri women’s soccer.
In her five years as a Tiger, Nurnberger won SEC Defensive Player of the Week, scored a career-high three goals to finish tied for third currently on the team and even obtained ongoing academic honor roll status.
Nurnberger knew she wanted to play soccer since she was little. Even today, she considers soccer her safe haven –– her sweet escape to happiness.
“Anywhere I was around soccer, I always felt at home,” Nurnberger said.
The love of the game came from her sisters.
“I had all this passion and I wanted to be out there with my sisters playing soccer and watching them play,” Nurnberger said.
Nurnberger played for several club teams growing up, traveling to different states and countries. She played other sports, but because soccer came most naturally, she didn’t mind putting in the extra work to exceed on the pitch.
A competitor at heart, Nurnberger knew she wanted to compete for an SEC championship and go up against some of the country’s best soccer programs.
For Nurnberger, Missouri felt like home. She wanted to play for a program that felt like family, and after she visited Columbia for the first time and experienced the familial atmosphere, she was hooked.
The bonds she formed with her teammates over the years only added to her experience, and soon Nurnberger developed into a leader. Now, not only is she the Tigers’ captain, but she’s also taking courses in MU’s master’s program of positive coaching and athletic leadership.
“A lot of what I learned there has helped and improved my leadership,” Nurnberger said. “We all have to be on the same page if we want to be successful. I’m there to make sure that I can help create that culture and help keep people accountable for the goals that we have”.
Nurnberger could have used her extra year of eligibility anywhere, but she decided to stay in Missouri.
“I definitely love this program,” Nurnberger said. “I realize I could have gone to other places and I would’ve had some good opportunities if I left, but I have pride for Mizzou”.
She sat down and talked with her family, and most importantly, asked herself why she wanted to play soccer at Missouri. She realized playing college soccer is a huge privilege that others don’t get to do.
At the beginning of her freshman year, Nurnberger said she struggled with her identity and the role she played. She fell behind her teammates, held back by injuries. Nurnberger said she felt both eager and impatient because she wanted to finally make an impact on the field.
“I tried to do anything I could to help my team and just excel in that role,” Nurnberger said. “If that meant me being louder on the bench, help cheering on the team and bringing that energy on.”
The pandemic proved a major setback for Nurnberger. After hours of self reflection during that time, Nurnberger knew she wanted to stay involved in soccer. Now, her goal is to figure out what her next steps might look like, whether it’s applying for the National Women’s Soccer League draft or playing overseas.
“Soccer and sports is where I thrive and where I can make the most impact,” Nurnberger said.
Despite her collegiate career coming to an end, Nurnberger is not ready to hang up her cleats.
“Even if I wasn’t playing soccer I still would love Mizzou,” Nurnberger said. “I would say being from Missouri, there’s a little more pride that I have to represent the state and to play soccer.”
Edited by Kyle Pinnell, kpinnell@themaneater.com
