STAYING HOME: FISHER SIGNS TO NORTHWEST COLLEGE

BY SETH ROMSA TRIBUNE SPORTS WRITER
Courtesy of the Powell Tribune

Opting to continue both her academic and athletic career at home, Aubree Fisher signed her Letter of Intent in May to play soccer for the Northwest College Trappers this fall.

Fisher started playing soccer at a young age, playing at the youngest recreation level in Powell before taking a break throughout most of elementary school.

She said that she returned to playing late in elementary school, before moving on to Heart Mountain United to play at the traveling level in middle school.

After taking a hiatus from playing, Fisher said that her younger brother Cody ended up being an inspiration for her return.

"When I came back to soccer my brother didn't play rec and he just went straight to Heart Mountain and it seemed like he had a lot of fun. So I kind of wanted to tag along and see how it was," Fisher said.

Early on in her high school career, Fisher said that she had a tough time but enjoyed her coaches. She said coach Danny Agee helped her develop both more skills and love for the game.

"It was rough at first. I've loved all the coaches that I've had," Fisher said. "I feel like Danny has made me love the sport the most because he's really improved my skills."

Despite the improvement throughout her career, Fisher almost didn't reach out to see if there was an opportunity to continue playing at the next level in Powell, with her coaches, parents and friends encouraging her.

"At first I wasn't going to try and play soccer in college because I kind of doubted myself, but then Danny, my parents and my friends all kind of ramped me up and said I should try it," Fisher said. "I did reach out to Callee (Erickson), Dave (Gilliatt) and Rob (Hill) first."

Along with encouragement from her family and friends, Fisher said that one of her previous teammates playing on the Northwest team this past fall, Sammi Rivas, helped show her that she could compete at that level.

"It was nice seeing someone on my own team be able to do that," Fisher said.

Along with soccer, she was one of the top swimmers for the Panther girls this past season, but had not considered swimming at the next level due to the lack of college swim teams near Powell.

"I wasn't bad at swimming, but there's no close swimming teams besides UW around here," Fisher said. Adding that she wanted to stay close to home "to start" college.

Throughout her career, Fisher has served in various positions around the pitch for the Panthers, starting out originally as a winger for the team before shifting into a defensive position as a fullback the past two years.

In her time as a Panther, she has been able to contribute to the team both offensively and defensively, helping Powell continue to improve at the back while also scoring the occasional goal from an attacking position.

Moving on to the next level, Fisher said that she is open to playing whatever position is available to her while bringing a sense of community to the team.

"I think I will bring (that sense of) community to the team since I am from here. I will be able to navigate around, and since it's new people I will be able to create new impressions for myself," Fisher said. "I used to play forward and I just started playing outside back two years ago when Danny started coaching, but I'm willing to play wherever."

At NWC, Fisher said she isn't necessarily looking for playing time, but looking forward to meeting new people as well as a new experience after high school in Powell.

She will join a Trapper women's team that finished 10-6 last season and made the postseason in Region IX. NWC is looking to replace eight sophomores from the roster.