Westphal to play at next level

FAIRFIELD - Trisha Westphal has been stopping people from doing what they want as a goalkeeper for the Trojans soccer team and club teams.

But she wants to major in psychology in college so that she can get a job helping people do what they want. She sees herself in a job as an occupational therapist some day.

Westphal signed a letter-of-intent Thursday to attend Indian Hills and play soccer.

Westphal had previously already chosen Iowa Central for her college then changed her mind. Southeastern in Burlington was another school she considered before landing on Indian Hills as her choice.

'I know a girl from being on my club team was one reason to switch and Fort Dodge is so far from home,” Westphal said of Iowa Central.

Her time on the club team and the travel it involved should prepare her for the college routine.

'She will be a great addition to our team and does a good job cutting angles off,” Indian Hills coach Anthony Longo said. 'She needs to work on defending on her feet and everybody's a little intimidated by the increased level of playing college.”

Longo was confident in her abilities said she just needs to work on a couple things to excel at that level.

'She's a good shot stopper and great in front of the goal,” said Baret Ertzinger, her club coach. 'She's vocal in the net and that makes her better. She's a great leader and was captain of our club team.”

She didn't start playing the sport until her freshman year, so 'I still have a lot to learn. A lot of people start at a younger age.”

Fairfield coach Brittany Winslow needed a goalie and placed her there. Some junior varsity matches were played until she did well enough that a little varsity time kept getting increased.

'I like playing in goal and I was pretty talented at it so that's made it easier for me,” Westphal said.