Emma Broderick couldn’t pass up the chance to attend what she called her “dream college.”
That would also mean she’d have to give up a lifelong passion, which she was at peace with at this point last year. That changed a month ago when the Sierra High graduate and standout goalkeeper was already registered at UC Santa Barbara.
Broderick is now at UC Merced.
An All-Valley Oak League first-team selection and San Joaquin Soccer Alliance All-Star, Sierra’s four-year varsity goalkeeper signed with the Bobcats on Sunday, the same day she moved into a dormitory. Classes begin today.
UC Merced’s season opener is Thursday against The Master’s College in Atherton, and because the team’s roster is already full Broderick will redshirt her freshman year.
“It has been really hectic,” Broderick said in a phone interview after a team function Tuesday night. “I had to fill out so much paperwork in a week, and since my mom was at work I had to figure it out on my own. I only had a few days to pack because I did not know I would be moving in so soon.”
After graduating in May, she did not know her soccer career would continue.
Deciding to focus on academics in college, Broderick did not seek attention from four-year soccer programs during her junior year — an important one for high school athletes looking to compete at the next level.
Broderick ended up attracting recruiters her senior year when she helped Sierra finish 22-1-5 and earn the top seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs. The 5-foot-4 goalie racked up 152 saves, 15 shutouts, blocked four penalty kicks and allowed just 15 goals in 26 regular-season appearances.
“She was our starting goalie for four years at Sierra, but she had an amazing season as a senior,” Sierra coach Manuel Pires said. “She stood out as one of the top goalies in our league and made our defense stronger. She became more vocal and gave us leadership from that position.
“She definitely reads the game very well and is aggressive; she’s not afraid to take players one on one.”
UC Merced head coach Megan Atoigue was among those to express interest in Broderick.
Thanks, but no thanks.
“At that point I was admitted to UC Santa Barbara, which was my dream school up until the last month or two,” Broderick said. “I realized it was too far from home and I wanted to keep playing soccer.”
She had the change of heart in late July while preparing to participate in what was going to be her final games at a competitive level for the Manteca FC Alliance coached by Paul Diniz.
“Earlier that week when I got home from practice, I sat down with my parents and told them I regret not taking the opportunity to go somewhere and play soccer in college,” Broderick said. “I did not want that to be my last week of soccer.”
After the tournament, where she continued to gain interest from college coaches, she contacted Atoigue.
“I asked if she wanted another goalie and told her that if it wasn’t too late I’d love to go there,” Broderick said. “It ended up working out.”
UC Merced is coming off its best season in program history. Last fall, the Bobcats went 13-2-4, won the Cal-Pac Conference regular-season title and reached the conference tournament title game. They finished ranked 21st in the NAIA.
“Our friends have been teasing us, saying ‘Soccer never ends!’” Broderick’s mother Wendy King said. “Here we were thinking, ‘Wow, she’s really hanging up her gloves.’ As parents we just want them to be happy. It’s her decision, her college experience and her life, so she needs to go where she wants to and not base it on anything else.”