Addie Marshall exhibited no hesitation in putting the travel in travel soccer.
Since October, the Franklin goalkeeper, a two-time All-County selection and a member of the Indianapolis-based FC Pride U17 team, deflected kicks and headers in Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Nashville, Cleveland, South Carolina and during two different trips to Florida.
Then again, when you’ve been part of a sport since the age of 3 and have committed to play it in college, miles traveled are rarely counted.
This is Marshall’s passion athletically. Her past, present and future.
“I played about half of my time in goal and the other half on the wing up until I was 12 or 13,” said Marshall, a senior-to-be who stands 5-foot-11. “My dad started to push me toward goal because I was taller.
“I love being able to make great saves and to direct my team from the back.”
FC Pride, which includes two more All-County choices in Center Grove juniors Kayli Farmer and Emily Karr, won its first two matches of pool play earlier this month at the ECNL national championships and finished in the top 16.
Taking the pitch against the country’s best players — many of whom are or will be Division I signees — only enhanced Marshall’s overall skill set in goal.
“I think that my technique has improved when I strike the ball, and just my tactical awareness of the game,” said Marshall, who finished last season with 229 saves for the Grizzly Cubs. “The understanding I have of when people are supposed to be there and how my team is supposed to move as a unit in certain situations.”
In February, Marshall made a verbal commitment to Butler University to play women’s soccer. She’ll sign her national letter of intent in November, and she plans to major in political science or business.
Marshall carries a 3.8 grade-point average at Franklin.
“I chose Butler because it’s an outstanding academic school and they have a very good women’s soccer program.”
Indeed.
The Bulldogs, coached by Tari St. John and Rob Alman, went 11-3 in the spring, losing a 2-1 overtime thriller to Georgetown in the championship match of the Big East tournament. Since 2015, the Bulldogs have posted a record of 74-30-14.
Eighth-year FC Pride U17 coach Jamie Gilbert admits athletes can occasionally lose interest in putting in the work necessary to improve once a college scholarship is locked up.
Marshall, he said, went the opposite direction.
“Addie has played for us for four years and has constantly progressed,” Gilbert said. “With Addie, she used the commitment to Butler as a catalyst to motivate herself to the next level.”
Marshall is currently preparing for her final season at Franklin after helping lead the team to eight victories in 2020. She made 195 saves for the Grizzly Cubs as a sophomore.
Franklin opens its season Aug. 18 at home against Greenwood and travels to Shelbyville the following day.
Just more opportunities to improve.
