Former SCSU goalkeeper now playing for Fire SC 98 in the WPSL
6/25/2018 9:08:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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Former St. Cloud State University soccer player Julia Clifford is still in the game.
A standout in goal for the Huskies during her collegiate career, Clifford is continuing her playing career as a member of the newly formed Fire SC 98 squad, which plays in the Women's Premium Soccer League. The Twin Cities based Fire SC 98 team is a new Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) team featuring players from around the area looking to compete and continue their development.
The WPSL is the largest women's soccer league in the world and showcases the outstanding soccer talent of the Minnesota. The WPSL features over 100 teams in four divisions around the nation. The roster of the Fire SC 98 includes top level players with collegiate experience at the NCAA I, II and III levels.
Clifford completed her playing career at SCSU in 2016. In her senior season, Clifford posted a 1.50 goals against average and four shutouts for the Huskies. In 2017, Clifford joined SCSU teammate Mackenzie Winters on the Minnesota Twin Stars squad and this year she moved over to the new Fire SC 98 team. The move was a homecoming of sorts as Clifford, a resident of Blaine, grew up playing soccer for the Twin Cities Fire Soccer Club.
The Fire SC 98 squad plays in the Central Division of the WPSL, which includes team from the Twin Cities, Chicago, Milwaukee and Fargo. The Fire SC 98 currently owns a 3-1-2 record this season and Clifford has been a regular contributor in the nets during the 2018 season, which runs through July 7.
Julia Clifford (center)
Fans can get a chance to check out the WPSL when the Fire SC 98 squad matches up against the Minnesota Twin Stars on Monday, June 25 with a 6 p.m. match at the Minnetonka High School Stadium in MInnetonka, Minn. The two teams will finish up the regular season schedule on July 7 at Concordia University's Seafoam Stadium in St. Paul, Minn. at 7 p.m.
"The level of competition in the WPSL is the highest I have ever played against," Clifford said. "There are athletes from all over the country and overseas in this league and they are all very interested in taking it to the next level. "
The Fire SC 98 practices at the National Sports Center in Blaine and plays most of its home games at Concordia University in St. Paul. Clifford said many of the fans from the Minnesota United team have become Fire SC 98 fans and will show up in force at games to show support with their trademark chants, drums and soccer scarves.
Clifford said her experience and training during college at St. Cloud State has prepared her well for the challenge of playing in the WPSL.
"The team practices and individual training at SCSU really helped develop my game. I am very grateful to have had a college coach like Gretta (Arvesen) at SCSU. She recognized my potential and helped prepare me to be the athlete I am today," Clifford said. "My time at St. Cloud State taught me a lot about the game, and it taught me how to fall in love with the game again."
