Mission Accomplished
After scouring the Midwest,
Molinari finds her school
Ashley Molinari went on a fact-finding mission all over the Midwest to find a perfect college/soccer fit for her.
Some of the stops the Downers Grove South defender made were Iowa, Northwestern, Indiana, Nebraska, and Illinois, among others.
These weren’t just get-to-see-the-campus meetings. These were visits that included daylong camps filled with other players who were on fact-finding missions of their own. They were eye-opening experiences.
“There is a lot of pressure,” Molinari said. “It’s cool to see the campus and meet the coaches and get a feel for what their environments are like. But it feels like a lot of pressure going in. It’s a seven-hour day that you are playing soccer, and it’s exhausting trying to put your best foot forward and that you are a good person and a good leader. Mentally, it’s having to prove yourself again. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.”
After doing her due diligence, Molinari chose Illinois State University in downstate Normal.
Fact-finding mission accomplished.
She attended a Redbirds camp after her junior year and took a liking to coach Raleigh DeRose, who was in her first year at the helm.
“We stayed in touch after the camp,” Molinari said of DeRose. “I honestly found my home, so I am super excited.”
Molinari committed to ISU in July.
She finished her high school career and enjoyed mixing it up and getting into the offense a little more than she will in college.
But being a defender is a position she relishes. It may not be a glamorous position, but she believes it’s important.
“Being the defender, you are the last person, and you have to be smart about what you do,” she said. “You have to make sure the ball doesn’t go into the back of the net. That’s your main concern. Playing in the midfield is fun because you can play offense and defense. I’ve been learning that. It’s not my strong suit, but I like to help the team on offense and defense.”
Molinari started playing soccer early in life, and in third grade, she played club soccer for the Roadrunners and tried to follow in her sister Aubrey’s footsteps.
The two played on varsity at South Ashley’s first two seasons. Aubrey gave up soccer after high school, but Ashley still feels her impact.
“That was really special,” Ashley said of their days playing together. “I wouldn’t be here without her. She has gotten me through a lot of things.”
