SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: Lisa Vogel
10/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
Strawberry blond redshirt senior Lisa Vogel walked out onto the field at DeMartin Stadium along with multiple of her childhood teammates on Senior Day Oct. 25. The only difference between them was that Vogel returned to the sidelines while her teammates took the field. Vogel has been medically disqualified from participating this season but still believes in the value of being present to encourage her team.
"After last season ended it was clear that I could no longer play soccer and was going to miss my senior year," Vogel said. "It was important to me to still experience a `senior year,' and also to support the team."
Citing the reasoning for sticking around being her love of the Spartan program, she said the "tremendous support" she "felt over the years from both the coaches and my teammates" is something she is thankful for.
"I am so thankful to still be a part of that, and hopefully, now, I am giving some of that support back to my teammates," Vogel said.
Vogel is often at practice or can be seen near the bench at games. Her teammates have expressed that she is a vital part of the team, despite her injury.
"Honestly, I joke that this year feels no different than any other season because I have dealt with the heartbreak of being sidelined due to injury the past three seasons," Vogel said. "Continuing knee problems have plagued my soccer career since late high school, and were what eventually ended it. Some days are harder than others, and I would give anything to be on the field for my final season. But I am thankful for the opportunity to still be a part of this team and truly enjoy it in a different way."
One of the biggest factors in Vogel's choosing MSU was that her father, Jack, played soccer at MSU. Serving as her coach for a substantial period of her young career, she admits her father has been "the biggest influence in her soccer career."
"He made me the player I was through his coaching and support since day one," Vogel said. "Growing up in the area, I always wanted to play at MSU, but the fact that he played here made it even more special."
The three-time first-team All-State honoree saw action in 12 games as a freshmen at MSU in 2011. The 2012 season saw Vogel continue to blossom in her collegiate career as she appeared in 13 games, starting in 11 while recording her first collegiate career goal and two assists in the opening game against Bowling Green on Aug. 17. The next season Vogel led her team over Buffalo off a free kick, but again would have her season cut short by injury.
Part of what also has made Vogel's time at Michigan State special was her time with Gabrielle Gauruder, Kristen Evans and Mary Kathryn Fiebernitz, all who played club soccer together since elementary school.
"More than ten years of working hard together for dreams we got to live out at MSU is pretty amazing," she said warmly. "They have all been so important to me through my journey, and now I love watching each of them make such a huge impact on (and off) the pitch in their final season as Spartans."
Vogel has voiced her love for her Spartan Family. One player in particular she singled out was redshirt junior midfielder Jessie White. Both had similar "injuries and heartbreak" as White served as a source of support and encouragement.
"While I would never wish that on anyone, I was so grateful to have her with me," Vogel said. "From the extra early morning lifts and endless rehab, to emotional support and encouragement, she's been my girl through it all."
Another great source of support Vogel has encountered was the coaching staff of head coach Tom Saxton, associate head coach Tammy Farnum, and assistant coach Stacy DeLonge.
"I don't think there is any program that can compare in terms of the support this coaching staff gives," Vogel said of her coaches. "Being a Spartan family is something they live by, and that has meant so much to me, especially given how my college career played out."
Graduating this coming in May with a degree in Engineering, she will transition to pursuing a career in her major. Soccer, however, will always "be an important part" of Vogel's life.
