Argos’ Eme McGlaughlin spends summer playing semi-professional soccer in Spokane

Most college athletes spend their summers preparing for their upcoming seasons, whether it’s training in the weight room or getting out and doing conditioning on the track. However Providence senior Eme McLaughlin spent her summer out of the state in order to perfect her craft. After emailing the coach, the Argos striker Eme McGlaughlin found herself playing semi-pro soccer for the Spokane Shadow. “It was pretty much my ticket in. I thought I was gonna have to drive over, and go through a tryout process and everything, and it just worked out I guess,” said Eme. “I played with all other college players, some ex-pro players, and it was a great experience.” She says it was a great way to test her skills heading into her senior year with the Argos, especially since she was playing on the opposite side of the field. That’s right - for the first time in her career, Eme traded her spot at the top of the field for a place in the defensive line. “I just did whatever I could to get playing time, and if that meant playing outside back, it meant playing outside back, and I guess I just found my new home at outside back for the summer.” But the change in position actually helped her game. “Playing outside back, I got to play against my own position on other teams, and I was able to put myself in the defender’s shoes - literally - and realize what I could do better as a forward with runs and taking on those defenders when I’m one-on-one and positioning and stuff like that.” However, Eme says the most important part of her time in Spokane was the chance to inspire younger players to always chase their dreams on the pitch. “Just thinking about little girls in town that come to our games and come to our soccer camps and stuff, just thinking about the imp act I can have on them is so amazing to me. I feel very proud. I was the only NAIA player there this summer, and I just had a sense of accomplishment and proving myself, especially being from Montana.”