On Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, Council Rock South senior Emily Helmich was recognized at a special college signing breakfast for committing to compete in soccer at West Chester University. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/p1035446997
Emily Helmich – West Chester University (Soccer)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: West Chester, Shippensburg, St. Joseph’s
Reasons for choosing West Chester: “West Chester was always my top school. It’s not too far, so I can come home on weekends and see my family. It fit well with my academics. I loved the soccer team and the head coach (Betty Ann Kempf Townsley).”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always loved soccer. It’s always been my number one sport out of all the sports that I’ve played. As I grew older, I knew that playing soccer in college was right for me.”
Coach Nick Heim says: “Emily Helmich is one of the most technically sound players I have ever coached, field player or goalie. She was a tough one to read at times, but one thing was always evident: Emily held herself to an incredibly high standard and always wanted to take on the best competition. The MVP of our team our junior season, Emily had given up only 16 goals in her last 41 starts, and a staggering seven goals in 23 games her junior season, which ranks 12th all time for a single season GAA in PA history. Back to back years of conceding single digit goals leaves a legacy that will stay in South history forever.
"Emily would come off the field after a tremendous game and would look like she lost, explaining that even though she pitched a shutout she would ‘have to do better.’ That’s the type of inner fire that coaches can’t teach. In the state playoff game her junior year, we went into shootouts. Not many players were comfortable taking penalties, but Emily didn’t shy away from it. After coming up with a few crucial saves, a ball slipped in that you could tell Emily expected to save. Our next shooter just happened to be Emily. I was a bit nervous she would be in her own head, but Emily stepped up and hit perhaps the hardest penalty I had ever seen taken at the high school level, boys or girls. One of the strongest competitors I’ve ever met, it is no wonder West Chester was quick to offer her a spot on their roster next season. Even more impressive is how Emily carried herself off the field. (She was) a tremendous leader for us and a great role model to the younger girls in the program. We can’t wait to see her flourish at the next level.”
About Emily:
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite TV show: Gray’s Anatomy
Favorite music: Hip Hop & Country
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