"It's an indescribable feeling," Gleich said. "Unless you've scored a game-winning goal, it's hard to describe. It's an amazing feeling. It felt like all the hard work paid off, especially when you have the support of your team and everyone's excited for you."

Gleich's goal proved to be the only scoring necessary in a 1-0 victory for Clarke University over Wisconsin-Platteville Sept. 1. Her heroics put Clarke in the win column to kick off its 2010 season.

Gleich, now a junior, has found a home in Dubuque, Iowa, with the Clarke Crusaders soccer program, a NAIA school and member of the Midwest Collegiate Conference. She's become one of the team's most prolific goal scorers with a penchant for finding the net with the game on the line.

"Kelsey is one of our most talented players on the team," Clarke head coach Sean Esterhuizen said. "She's a real catalyst. She makes things happen. She's scored numerous game-winning goals, and no one works harder. Players have a tremendous amount of respect for her. She doesn't have a big head. She's always smiling, always laughing."

Gleich found her way to Clarke in 2008 after graduating from Park High School. However, the small Dubuque college had not entered the running for her talents until late in 2007 when Esterhuizen saw her compete at a showcase event. Her play convinced Esterhuizen to pursue her with the kind of vigor that bordered on obsession.

"Coach played a huge part in (coming to Clarke)," Gleich said. "When he first called, he left me a message. I had no idea where Clarke was. I pretty much ignored it. But he kept calling and calling."

"I must have called every other night for three weeks," Esterhuizen said.

His determination and exuberance for the game of soccer impressed Gleich so much that she agreed to visit the campus. On her visit, Gleich noted the close bond between team members, the school's ability to satisfy her aspirations in the fields of physical therapy and athletic training and the neighborly surroundings.

"With such a small school, people know who you are," Gleich said. "People know that you play soccer. It's very friendly. People will come up and say ‘good game.' It's a nice atmosphere."

It's an atmosphere in which Gleich has thrived both athletically and academically. As a sophomore, she was named to the MCC all-conference and all-academic teams. The 5-foot-2 forward improved from two goals in 19 games in 2008 to nine goals-second on the team-in 18 games in 2009.

Away from the soccer field, Gleich is going through clinicals and working with other Clarke athletic programs as a student trainer. She finds the opportunity to help others get back to the playing field after injury particularly rewarding.

"She's always willing to help other people," Esterhuizen said. "I wish I could recruit more people like her. She's truly one of a kind."

With two seasons left as a Crusader, Gleich hopes to add plenty of tallies to her career mark of 12 goals. After she earns her four-year degree, she plans to attend graduate school at Clarke or somewhere closer to home to obtain her doctorate.

Until then, Gleich will continue to be a pain for opposing MCC squads. A word of warning for Clarke adversaries: be aware of Gleich at crunch time.