Norwegian earns spot as kicker

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- Ilene Fahle never dreamed that when she came to New Ulm as an exchange student from Oslo, Norway, she would make history.

In Cathedral's 35-6 trouncing of Red Rock Central September 17, Fahle kicked 3 of 4 field goals to become the first girl to ever kick a field goal in a game at Johnson Field.

Even more impressive is the fact that Fahle is an integral part of a state-ranked football team even though she has never played football before -- had never even seen football on television, because they don't have it in Norway.

"For her to have the confidence to come over here says a lot about her character," Cathedral coach Denny Lux said. "Being a part of our football team, a good team that expects a lot out of the players, says a lot about her competitiveness."

At the beginning of the season, Fahle had decided to try tennis. But Sharon Wurtzberger, Fahle's host sister, took a cue from last year's exchange student kicker, Phil Niemeyer. Wurtzberger saw how much Fahle loved soccer and told Fahle she should try kicking at football practice sometime.

"Sharon dragged me along (to practice)," Fahle said. "I really didn't know what I was getting myself into."

Soon, Fahle began to understand the flow of the game, if not all the details. Her understanding mainly revolves around her role as kicker.

"I know the main thing -- I didn't know that before -- so I know when I'm going to be preparing," she said with a smile. "There are some guys that tell me, 'Pretty soon, you are going to kick.'"

At first, Fahle was apprehensive about being the only girl on the football team, but the other players and coach Denny Lux made her worries dissipate.

"They're excited, I think. They're really nice," Fahle said. "I was afraid, you know, guys, I'm a girl playing on the team, but it's not like that at all."

"There is a mutual respect between Ilene and the guys," Lux said. "The guys know she's on the team to help us win and has the ability to help win and score."

For the most part, things have not been any different for Fahle than any other player on the squad. She has no doubt she has had to prove that she is capable enough to be a kicker, but she easily put things into perspective.

"Of course I felt like I had to prove like I'm good enough," she said. "Every guy on the team has to prove they're good enough to play."

Another thing that does not bother Fahle is the thought that she may get hit if something goes wrong. In Norway, she has practiced enough soccer with the boys to be used to that, and considers herself to be a physical player.

"I'm used to that in soccer, playing defense," she said. "I'm a really rough player in soccer, so I wouldn't care at all."

"I'm convinced she has played enough soccer with guys in Norway where she can hold her own out there," Lux said.

Fahle, who plays scores of soccer games every year, kicks the football like she kicks the soccer ball, with the top of her foot, and even wears her red and black soccer shoes that she brought with her from Norway.

Fahle did not realize that when she came to the U.S. she would follow in the steps of fellow countryman Jan Stenerud, who also came to football by chance and was the first kicker to use a soccer-style kick, rather than with the toe.

"Dad thinks it's so cool," Fahle said. "He's talking about Jan Stenerud. He's all into sports, so he's joking about that."

Stenerud was powerful and consistent, and Fahle has proven herself to be consistent as well, especially when compared to other teams. The other teams the Greyhounds have faced have not even had place kickers.

"Every team wants to be unique and have their own identity," Lux said. "Part of our identity as a team this year is that we have Ilene as our kicker. We're fortunate to have as consistent a kicker as her.

"Ilene's quite an athlete," Lux said. "At this level, being a field goal kicker is very challenging ... what we're doing as a team is not out of the ordinary for her. She's used to being pushed and challenged."

In fact, Fahle's soccer team -- actually one of the two teams she plays on -- took third place in the Norway Cup this year and won it last year.

So when Fahle comes into a game in a high-pressure situation, she knows how to perform.

In the game against RRC, Fahle needed to make her first extra point to put the Greyhounds ahead, and she came through, with positive thinking.

"(I want) to kick the ball hard, like the coach says," Fahle said. "'I have to have this one.' If I didn't make it, it would've been a tie. But I'm used to that pressure."

However, it is different than she is used to on the soccer field.

"It's hard to go out there and kick the ball, (because) I'm used to moving and kicking all the time," Fahle said. "Four kicks in one hour is kinda different."

According to Lux, holder David Rysdahl and snapper Ryan Turbes have done a great job of working with Fahle to make things run smoothly.

Also helping has been Bill Moeller, who took photos of Fahle so she could see herself in still frames during her kick.

Fahle isn't the only one who's learned from the experience

"You can tell the positive effect she has on the players," Lux said. "After a successful kick, you see a lot of guys high-five her as she comes off the field -- it's just a sign of the positive effect she's had.

"When this year is over, we're all going to be able to look back and see what we've learned from each other," he said.