Retired American soccer player
Nel Fettig (born April 25, 1976, in Fort Wayne, Indiana) is a retired American soccer player who played for the Carolina Courage.
Early life and education
Fettig was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on April 25, 1976.[1] She attended Bishop Luers High School, where she excelled in both soccer and tennis,[2] being named the National High School Player of the Year in 1994.[3] She graduated as class valedictorian, then received an undergraduate degree in psychology and exercise science from the University of North Carolina.[4] While there, she received various honors as a student-athlete, including a postgraduate scholarship from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), which she used to attend the University of North Carolina School of Law.[4]
Athletic career
Before university
Fettig began her athletic career young, competing internationally before graduating from high school.[3] In 1993, she competed at the U.S. Olympic Festival held in San Antonio, as well as on the United States women's national under-20 soccer team.[3][5]
University
While studying at the University of North Carolina, Fettig played for the university's soccer team.[4] She was an All-American from 1995 to 1997,[2][6] and during her tenure, the team won three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles.[3][4] In 1996, she was named the NCAA Tournament's Defensive MVP.[4] In her senior year, she served as the team captain.[4]
Professional and semi-professional
From 1998 to 2000, Fettig played semi-professionally in the W-League with the Raleigh Wings, where she served as team captain.[4][6] During her tenure, the team won two national championships.[4] She was also named the W-League Defender of the Year in 1998, 1999, and 2000.[4][6]
Fettig made her professional debut with the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) in 2001, having been drafted to play for the New York Power.[4] She played in the 2002 WUSA All-Star Game[4] and won the 2002 WUSA Founders Cup.[7] She transferred to play with the Carolina Courage the following season.[6][7] WUSA collapsed in 2003.[8]
Coaching
Fettig was an assistant coach at Northwestern University for the 1998 season.[4] She returned to the position in 2003.[4]
Honors
In 2008, Fettig was inducted into the Indiana Soccer Hall of Fame.[9]
References