University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Mary Casey Works With Philadephia Independence
08.09.2011 | Women's Soccer
Casey, a former All-ACC standout goalkeeper at the University of Maryland, joined the Bulldog program last year when another former Terrapin Michelle Demko was hired to be the Bulldogs new head coach. Casey was brought to work with the Asheville goalkeepers and help recruit.
She also hoped to get a shot at playing professional soccer upon graduation in 2010. Casey was drafted by the Los Angeles Sol of the Women Professional Soccer League. But 13 days after she was drafted, Casey got an email from the Sol saying the franchise no longer existed. She later signed a contract with the Washington Freedom and was on the roster for two months but did not get a chance to play. While with Washington, she got a chance to play with National Team star Abby Wombach.
Casey then came to Asheville with Demko but still with an eye on playing in 2011. She worked hard in the off-season when she wasn't coaching the Bulldogs. Casey was invited to try-out for the Philadelphia Independence. I t looked like she had a job with them as a goalkeeper when she broke her thumb right before she was going to sign a contract with the Independence. With the injury, Philadelphia signed another goalkeeper.
However, Philadelphia still beckoned. She was asked by the coaching staff to come to the City of Brotherly Love and work with the club.
"It was just great to be a part of their (Philadelphia Independence) environment," commented Casey a few days before the start of pre-season practice at UNC Asheville. "The Independence is the top team in the league and just to be a part of their culture was really amazing. I learned a great deal, as well.
"I got a chance to work with the team every day at practice," added Casey. "Then before home matches, I would work with the goalkeepers to get ready for the match. It was really exciting to be on the field before a match and watch the crowd come into the stadium."
Casey admits that most of the time she's a small-town girl. She's a native of Centreville, Va., but she really enjoyed Philadelphia.
"Philadelphia was just awesome. Usually I'm not somebody who likes big cities," explained Casey. "Give me a small town any day. However, I fell in love with Philadelphia. With all the history that was there and just the excitement of the city, I really enjoyed my time there."
Casey worked with the Independence for more than a month before coming back to Asheville and getting ready to work with the Bulldogs for her second season. Demko is glad to have the fellow Terrapin back in Asheville.
"Having someone like Mary who has a chance to work and play with professional players will only strengthen our program," declared Demko. "We're lucky to have Mary Casey as a part of our program."
